Rotating hook film loader and method

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for loading a filmstrip. The method includes the steps of: propelling the filmstrip into a cylindrical film space; curling the filmstrip into a film roll within the film space; during the curling, constraining the roll between a pair of opposed contact surfaces; and during the constraining, rotating the contact surfaces about a pivot axis transverse to a film roll axis.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference is made to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/837632, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,739, entitledCAMERA ASSEMBLY WITH QUILL DRIVEKEY FOR ENGAGING FILM CARTRIDGE, filedApr. 21, 1997, in the names of Marra et al.

Reference is made to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/997,567 entitled SPOOL REPOSITIONING APPARATUSFOR CAMERA ASSEMBLING AND METHODS, filed Dec. 23, 1997, in the names ofJoseph A. Watkins et al.

Reference is made to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/997,014, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,002 entitledCARTRIDGE LOADING APPARATUS AND METHODS, filed Dec. 23, 1997, in thenames of Thomas W. Glanville, et al.

Reference is made to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/997,566, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,126 entitledAPPARATUS AND METHODS OF CAMERA ASSEMBLY, filed Dec. 23, 1997, in thenames of Joseph A. Watkins et al.

Reference is made to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/097,135, entitled FILM EDGE DRIVING FILM LOADER,FILM LOADING METHOD AND CAMERA FRAME ASSEMBLY, and filed in the names ofMichael R. Allen, et al.

Reference is made to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/096,831, entitled CAMERA FRAME ASSEMBLY HAVINGMONOLITHIC SUBENCLOSURES, and filed in the names of Joseph A. Watkins,et al.

Reference is made to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/097,200, entitled ONE-TIME USE CAMERA HAVINGGUARD FILM ROLL CHAMBER, and filed in the names of Joseph A. Watkins, etal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to photography and photographic equipment and moreparticularly relates to a rotating hook film loader and film loadingmethod.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A wide variety of cameras, film cassettes, bulk film containers and thelike store a long, relatively narrow filmstrip as a cylindrical filmroll. (The terms "film" and "filmstrip" are used herein to refer to thesame physical article. "Film" is used as the more general term."Filmstrip" is used where it is desired to emphasize that the film, whenunrolled, has the form of a long, narrow rectangle.) The roll of filmis, in many cases, wound around a central spool or core. In other cases,the core is deleted in an effort to reduce expense, complexity, andweight and the film is in the form of a coreless roll or "roll".

Rolls can be formed by simply transporting a filmstrip into acylindrical or similarly shaped storage container or camera filmchamber. For example, a variety of cameras are known in which a filmroll is formed by prewinding unexposed film from a cartridge or spool.U.S. Pat. No. 1,921,559 and U.S. Pat. No. 1,921,560 teach thrustcartridge cameras which prewind to an empty roll chamber havinggenerally concave walls. This approach has the advantage that handlingof the roll is minimized, since the roll is formed in situ. Thisapproach has the problem that it tends to require the use of a filmstriphaving specific curling properties and becomes problematic when thelength of the filmstrip is increased.

A solution to this problem is using an appliance to help shape the rollas it is formed and then removing the appliance. A limitation of suchappliances is that the appliance itself requires a certain amount offree space in a specific shape and position or range of positions. Thisconstrains the design of the camera body or film container. A variety ofdifferent loading methods and appliances have been used in an attempt tooptimize characteristics within these constraints.

Roll forming methods using appliances can be roughly categorized intomethods using appliances acting external to the roll, methods usingappliances acting internal to the roll, and methods using a combinationof internal and external appliances.

External-acting appliances have the advantage that the film does notneed to be attached to the appliance during film rolling. The followingreferences teach methods and apparatus in which an external-actingappliance is used.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,057,573 teaches a camera having roll chamber defined bythree opposed rollers, which resiliently move apart as the roll diameteris increased. One of the rollers is fixed. The other two are mounted ina movable carrier. U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,483 teaches a camera having aroll chamber defined by curved walls and an arcuate lever. The lever isspring biased to bear against a film roll within the chamber. U.S. Pat.No. 3,288,389 teaches the formation of a roll in a film cartridge withina resilient band of rubber of the like. The band may be lined by foil orother flexible material. U.S. Pat. No. 2,484,248 teaches a similarcartridge having a metal spring. In each of these approaches, the filmroll is subject to the compressive force of the springs or resilientband during film use. This compressive force is undesirable, since itputs the rolled filmstrip at risk of scratching. U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,833teaches a document roll-up system in which media sheets are rolled in aspace defined by a pair of external guides and a "C ring".

These various methods either resiliently compress the film roll as it iswound, presenting a risk of scuffing; or rely on cumbersome devices thatrequire access from multiple directions and are thus impractical to useto wind film within an enclosure smaller than the devices themselves; orboth.

It would thus be desirable to provide a relatively simple film loaderand film loading method which require access to the interior of thechamber from only one direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is defined by the claims. The invention, in its broaderaspects, provides method and apparatus for loading a filmstrip. Themethod includes the steps of: propelling the filmstrip into acylindrical film space; curling the filmstrip into a film roll withinthe film space; during the curling, constraining the roll between a pairof opposed contact surfaces; and during the constraining, rotating thecontact surfaces about a pivot axis transverse to a film roll axis.

It is an advantageous effect of at least some of the embodiments of theinvention that a film loader and film loading method are provided whichrequire access to the interior of the chamber from only one direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention andthe manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the inventionitself will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified rear view of an embodiment of the camera frameassembly.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of a film edge driving film loader. A cameraframe assembly is also shown. For clarity, only the receiver, andwinding mechanism of the apparatus are shown. The arms of the windingmechanism are cut-away below where the arms would connect to anactuation mechanism of the apparatus. Conductors of the film sensor andwinder drive are also cut-away. The camera frame assembly is simplifiedand the take-up chamber is not shown.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional end view of the apparatus and camera frameassembly, as shown in FIG. 2, taken substantially along line A--A ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a gear-type rim-unit of the apparatus ofFIG. 2. Also shown are a clasp and the hub of the respective arm of thefilm loader.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the apparatus and camera frameassembly, as shown in FIG. 2, taken substantially along line B--B ofFIG. 2. The apparatus is shown at the start of cinching when the rimsare in a static cinching configuration and the film guide is biasedagainst the rims. Also shown are the leading portion of a filmstrip anda capstan of the film transport.

FIG. 6 is a partial enlargement of the same view as FIG. 5, but theapparatus is shown at the end of cinching.

FIG. 7 is a partial enlargement of the same view as FIG. 5, but theapparatus is shown during initial winding onto the outer rings of therims. The direction of rotation of the rims is indicated by an arrow.The film guide is shown in an optional position for continued biasing.

FIG. 8 is a partial enlargement of the same view as FIG. 5, but theapparatus is shown after the completion of film winding and withdrawalof the rims from the film space.

FIG. 9 is the same view as FIG. 3, but the apparatus is shown at thesame time as in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is the same view as FIG. 9, but the apparatus is shown duringremoval of the winder.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a sprocket type rim-unit and drive beltof another embodiment of a film edge driving film loader. Also shown area clasp and the hub of the respective arm of the winder.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a pulley type rim-unit of still anotherembodiment of a film edge driving film loader. Also shown is a pancakemotor of the respective arm of the winder.

FIG. 13 is a semi-diagrammatical view of an embodiment of a film edgedriving film loader, showing a receiver and film bridge. The film winderis not shown. A pallet rests on the receiver. The pallet bears a cameraframe assembly (shown in simplified form in cross-section).

FIG. 14 is a simplified semi-diagrammatical view of another a film edgedriving film loader, in which the film transport is a turtleback. Thefilm winder and other feature of the apparatus are not shown. The cameraframe assembly is shown in simplified form in cross-section.

FIG. 15 is a semi-diagrammatical view of an embodiment of a film edgedriving film loader showing the receiver and an actuation mechanism. Thelocation of a site for the camera frame assembly is shown in dashedlines. A component is illustrated in active and inactive positions insolid and dashed lines.

FIG. 16 is a semi-diagrammatical view of another embodiment of a filmedge driving film loader showing the receiver and a series of componentsand actuation mechanisms. The location of sites for the camera frameassembly are shown in dashed lines. The components are illustrated inactive and inactive positions in solid and dashed lines.

FIG. 17 is the same view of the camera frame assembly as shown in FIG.13, but showing installation of the back cover. The back cover is shownin dashed lines prior to installation and in solid lines afterinstallation.

FIG. 18 is a semi-diagrammatical perspective view of still another filmedge driving film loader and camera frame assembly. For clarity, thereceiver is not shown and the camera frame assembly is shown insimplified form. The film bridge and cartridge mover are shown in a useposition in solid lines and in a non-use or rest position in dashedlines.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the rotating hook filmloader. For clarity, only the hooks, hook drive, and guide-restraintunit are shown. Also shown are a portion of a filmstrip and part of theframe of a camera frame assembly. This figure shows the loader aftercurling of the first turn of film roll. The hooks are in the initialposition.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the film loader and camera frameassembly of FIG. 19 taken substantially along line C--C of FIG. 19.

FIGS. 21a-21c are diagrammatical top views showing the hooks of the filmloader of FIG. 19, a film roll chamber, and a film roll (indicated by adashed line) during film loading. FIG. 21a shows the hooks and film rollin the same state as in FIG. 19. FIG. 21b shows the hooks in a finalposition and the completed film roll. FIG. 21c shows the hooks in awithdrawal position in the two accessways.

FIGS. 22a-22h are diagrammatical top views of the hooks of the filmloader showing directions of hook rotation. FIG. 22a shows theembodiment of FIG. 19. FIGS. 22b-22h show other embodiments.

FIGS. 23a and 23b are an exploded semi-diagrammatical view and anassembled view, respectively, of the camera frame assembly of FIGS. 21.

FIG. 24 is a semi-diagrammatical enlargement of the film cassette andfilm roll of the camera frame assembly of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a semi-diagrammatical side cross-sectional view of the cameraframe assembly of FIG. 23.

FIG. 26 is an semi-diagrammatical top view of another embodiment of thecamera frame assembly.

FIG. 27 is a semi-diagrammatical side cross-sectional view of the cameraframe assembly of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the rotating hookfilm loader. For clarity, only the hooks and guide-restraint unit areshown. Also shown are a portion of a filmstrip and part of the frame ofa camera frame assembly. This figure shows the loader after thecompletion of film winding. The hooks are in the final position.

FIG. 29 is the same view as FIG. 28, except that the hooks are shown inthe withdrawal position.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the film loader and camera frameassembly of FIG. 29 taken substantially along line D--D of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the film loader and camera frameassembly of FIG. 29 taken substantially along line E--E of FIG. 29.

FIG. 32 is the same view as FIG. 29, except that the hooks andguide-restraint unit are shown in the inactive position.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the rotating hookfilm loader. For clarity, only the hooks and hook rotator are shown.Also shown is part of the frame of a camera frame assembly. The hooksare in the initial position.

FIG. 34 is the same view as FIG. 33, but, for clarity, the hook drive isnot shown.

FIG. 35 is the same view as FIG. 33, but the hooks are in the finalposition.

FIG. 36 is a top plan view of the rotating hook film loader of FIG. 35.For clarity, only the hooks and hook rotator are shown. Also shown ispart of the frame of a camera frame assembly. The hooks are in the finalposition.

FIG. 37 is the same view as FIGS. 33 and 35, but the hooks are in thewithdrawal position.

FIG. 38 is the same view as FIG. 37, but, for clarity, the hook drive isnot shown.

FIG. 39 is the same view as FIG. 36, but the hooks are in the withdrawalposition.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the rotating hookfilm loader and a camera frame assembly. For clarity, some features arenot shown. The hooks are in the final position.

FIG. 41 is a side view of the film loader and camera frame assembly ofFIG. 40. One of the hooks is shown, in an initial position.

FIG. 42 is a simplified rear view of another embodiment of the cameraframe assembly.

FIG. 43 is a top, rear perspective view of another embodiment of thecamera frame assembly.

FIG. 44 is a bottom, rear perspective view of the path enclosure of thecamera frame assembly of FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 is a bottom, front perspective view of the path enclosure ofFIG. 44.

FIG. 46 is a bottom, rear perspective view of the backbone of the cameraframe assembly of FIG. 43.

FIG. 47 is a top, front perspective view of one of the pathsubenclosures of the camera frame assembly of FIG. 44.

FIG. 48 is a top, rear perspective view of the lower path subenclosureof the camera frame assembly of FIG. 44.

FIG. 49 is a bottom, front perspective view of the upper pathsubenclosure of the camera frame assembly of FIG 44.

FIG. 50 is a partial enlargement of the view of FIG. 43, showing thefilm roll chamber and part of the guard.

FIG. 51 is a partial, bottom, rear perspective view of the camera frameassembly of FIG. 43 showing the film roll chamber and part of the guard.

FIG. 52 is a semi-diagrammatical perspective view of a cartridge movingstation of an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 53 is the same view as FIG. 52 showing an initial stage ofcartridge loading.

FIG. 54 is the same view as FIG. 52 showing a latter stage of cartridgeloading.

FIG. 55 is the same view as FIG. 52 showing film advancing.

FIG. 56 is the same view as FIG. 52 showing a modified apparatus havinga film transport component including a guide.

FIG. 57 is a semi-diagrammatical vertical cross-section of the filmtransport component and camera frame assembly of FIG. 56.

FIG. 58 is a top, rear perspective view of a particular camera frameassembly. The cartridge is shown in engagement with the thumbwheel;however, for clarity, the view is partially exploded (the thumbwheel isshown displaced from the camera frame assembly) and the sensor lever isnot shown. The guard is also not shown.

FIG. 59 is a partial enlargement of the view of FIG. 58. The drive unitis in a film sensed position.

FIG. 60 is the same view as FIG. 59, but the drive unit is in a filmabsent-light lock open position.

FIG. 61 is a partial enlargement of the view of FIG. 58, but the driveunit is in a film absent-light lock closed position.

FIG. 62 is a bottom, rear perspective view of the camera frame assemblyof FIG. 58. The drive unit and sensor lever are shown in the film sensedposition.

FIG. 63 is the same view as FIG. 62, but the drive unit and sensor leverare shown in the film absent-light lock closed position.

FIG. 64 is a perspective view of a spool repositioner of another filmloading apparatus, a camera frame assembly, and part of the pallet. Forclarity, the active light lock closer of the camera frame assembly isnot shown. The guard is also not shown.

FIG. 65 is a perspective view of the holder of the spool repositioner ofFIG. 64.

FIG. 66 is a perspective view of a cartridge positioner-thruster ofanother film loader. The receiver of the apparatus and a camera frameassembly are also shown. The guard of the camera frame assembly is notshown.

FIG. 67 is an enlargement of the view of the thumbwheel aligner of thecartridge positioner-thruster of FIG. 66. The view is partially exploded(the thumbwheel is shown displaced from the aligner).

FIG. 68 is a perspective view of the cartridge positioner-thruster ofFIG. 67 showing the cartridge being picked up from a nest by a cartridgemover. For clarity, the view is partially exploded (a jack of thealigner and the thumbwheel are displaced from the camera frame assemblyand each other).

FIG. 69 is the same view as FIG. 68, after positioning and axial lodgingof the cartridge in the film roll chamber.

FIG. 70 is the same view as FIG. 69, after thrusting of the leadingportion of the filmstrip from the film cartridge.

FIGS. 71-74 are semi-diagrammatical perspective views of differentstages of film winding in a mandrel and guide film loader.

FIG. 75 is a semi-diagrammatical partial cross-sectional view of thewinding station of FIGS. 71-74. Part of a film transport is also shown.

FIG. 76 is a semi-diagrammatical view of a tamper of a mandrel and guidefilm loader. The direction of axial lodging is indicated by an arrow.

FIG. 77 is a semi-diagrammatical partial side view of a camera frameassembly which includes a prepositioned partial wall.

FIG. 78 is a semi-diagrammatical partial side view of another cameraframe assembly which includes a post-loading wall. The post-loading wallis installed on the frame in a direction radial to the film roll chamberaxis (indicated by a cross).

FIG. 79 is a semi-diagrammatical top view of another camera frameassembly which includes an opening at one end of the film roll chamber,which receives a post-loading wall during axial lodging.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially particularly to FIGS. 1, 13, 23-27, and 42-51; thecamera frame assembly 10 includes a frame 12 having a take-up chamber 14and a film roll chamber 16. The term "camera frame assembly", exceptwhere the context indicates otherwise, is used here to refer to acomplete camera or an incomplete subunit of a camera that will later beassembled with other parts to form a complete camera. The invention isparticularly advantageous in relation to a camera frame assembly that isa completed or incomplete one-time use camera.

The camera frame 12 has an intermediate section or exposure frame 18between the chambers 14,16. The intermediate section 18, preferably hasa pair of parallel margins 20 that are separated by a width dimensionthat is only slightly larger than the width dimension of the filmstrip21. At the margins 20, the intermediate section 18 has a pair ofopposed, parallel bearing surfaces or rails 22 positioned to support theedges of the filmstrip 21. The chambers 14,16 have rearwardly facingopenings 15,17. The portion of the film roll chamber 16 bounding theopening is referred to herein as throat 19. The frame assembly 10defines a rear opening or rear clearance (located as indicated by dashedline 29 in FIG. 13) over the film roll chamber 16 and, preferably overboth chambers 14,16 and the intermediate section 18.

A film cartridge 24 is loaded into the frame assembly 10. The cartridge24 includes a canister 26, a spool 27, and the filmstrip 21. Thefilmstrip 21 has a leading portion 28 having a free end 30, a mainportion 32, a trailing portion or trailer 34, and a terminus 36 at theend of the trailer 34. The terminus 36 is attached to the spool 27 inthe canister 26. The main portion 32 is between the leading and tailportions 28,34. In a transverse direction, the filmstrip 21 has acentral region 37 and a pair of opposed lateral edges 38. Prior to filmloading, the main and trailing portions 32,34 of the filmstrip 21 arewound around the spool 27 in the canister 26. For thrust cartridges 24,such as Advanced Photo System™ (APS™) cartridges, the leading portion 28is also wound around the spool 27.

The camera frame assembly 10 can also include other camera componentswhich have been previously installed on the camera frame 12. Forexample, the camera frame assembly 10 can include an exposure system 39,including one or more sub-components such as a baffle 39a, a lens system39b, and a shutter (not separately illustrated). The frame assembly 10can include a camera film drive 43 having a film engagement member(indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 25 by a semicircle 41) which adjoinsthe intermediate section 18 and engages film perforations (not shown)for film metering or both film metering and film transport. A variety ofsuch camera film drives are well known to those of skill in the art. Insuch drives, the film engagement member can be a linearly reciprocatedpawl; however, a continuously or intermittently toothed sprocket is morecommonly used as the film engagement member. With some film transportmechanisms, such as conventional sprocket types, it is necessary to liftfilm above the sprocket or other film engagement member duringprewinding. With other film transport mechanisms, such as someintermittently toothed sprocket types, the film can move past thesprocket or other film engagement member without causing it to rotate orotherwise actuate. The film loading apparatus and methods discussedherein, can accommodate either type of film transport mechanism. Inone-time use cameras, a one-way film transport is typically used, whichmoves the film from a film roll chamber 16 to a take-up chamber 14, on aframe-by-frame basis. Such film transports do not provide for filmrewinding, since the film is prewound when the film is initially loadedand is returned to the cartridge or the like as the film exposed.

A completed camera, shown, for example, in FIGS. 23a-23b, and 25-27,includes loaded film, a light-tight back cover 40 over the chambers14,16 and intermediate section 18, and a front cover 42 over the cameraframe assembly 10. In addition to the features already discussed, thecamera can also include other conventional camera features well known tothose of skill in the art. For example, as discussed below in relationto a particular film loading method and apparatus, a thumbwheel can beattached to the camera frame assembly prior to film loading.

The film roll chamber 16 has opposed ends 44 and a sidewall 48 thatextends between the ends 44. The film roll chamber 16 may have an endwall 46 joined to the sidewall 48 at one or both ends 44. The shape ofthe sidewall 48 is not critical, as long as the film roll 50 can beaccommodated without gross deformation and any film contact with thesidewall 48 during camera usage does not cause excessive scuffing. Thefilm roll chamber 16 defines a cylindrical film space 52 having an axis5 1. The film space 52 is interior to part or all of the throat 19. Thefilm roll chamber 16 lacks a film spool or other axial film support,thus the film space 52 is empty before loading and, after loading, onlycontains the film roll 50. The axis of the cylindrical film space 52 isthe same length and is aligned with the width dimension of theintermediate section 18. In particular embodiments, the film rollchamber 16, including any end wall 46 or end walls 46 and sidewall 48,is a unitary plastic casting.

The camera frame assembly 10 in preferred embodiments, has a guard 54that shields the film roll chamber 16. The guard 54 partially occludesthe throat 19 to limit access to the film space 52 and provideprotection even when the back cover 40 is not in place, but also allowfilm loading. As discussed in greater detail below, the extent ofshielding provided by the film guard, some features of the film guard,and related features of the film roll chamber are subject to the spatialrequirements of a selected film loading method and apparatus.

Different embodiments of the guard 54 have a number of common features.The guard is fixed to the frame 12 and is as rigid as the rest of theframe 12. The guard 54 extends across the film roll chamber 16,preferably at least halfway so as to overlap the film space axis 5 1.The guard can be cantilevered from the outer edge 53 of the sidewall 48or can be joined to the outer edge 53 and to other parts of the frame12. The guard 54 has a gate portion 58 that faces and adjoins theintermediate section 18. The gate portion 58 can overlap the end of theintermediate section 18 or part of the film roll chamber 16. The guard54 also has a stem portion or guard stem 60 that is continuous with thegate portion 58 and is fixed to the throat 19 of the film roll chamber16. The gate portion 58 together with the intermediate section 18,defines a film slot 61, through which the film enters the film rollchamber 16 during film loading. The film slot 61 is aligned with thefilm space axis 5 1. The stem portion 60 has a pair of opposed lateralmargins 62, which extend in a direction outward from the gate portion58. The margins 62 are inset from the ends 44 of the film roll chamber16. In preferred embodiments, the margins 62 and the film roll chamber16 define at least one accessway 56 extending through the throat 19 andcommunicating with said film space 52. The margins 62 of the stemportion 60 and the film roll chamber 16 preferably define two accessways56 and, at least one of the two is, at least in part, axial to the filmspace 52. The guard 54 and film roll chamber 16 define at least oneaccessway 56, which is, at least in part axial to the film space 52. Ina non-preferred embodiment, discussed below, the film roll chamberdefines the only accessway 56 and the guard 54 blocks the throat 19except at the film slot 61.

Within these limitations and the limitations of a selected film loadingmethod and apparatus, it is preferred that the guard 54 extends acrossat least half of the throat 19 of the film roll chamber 16 and overliesthe film space axis 51 and that the accessways 56 are of a minimum sizenecessary for film loading. The size of accessways 56 can be increasedand the size of the guard 54 reduced, but the result is less effectiveshielding of the film roll chamber 16. Similarly, guards 54 aregenerally described herein as having one or two accessways 56, dependingupon the particular film loading method. Additional accessways 56 can beprovided as necessary for particular film loading methods and apparatus.If optional, the additional accessways 56 are undesirable to the extentthat they open the interior of the film roll chamber 16 to a greaterrisk of contamination and damage.

The gate portion 58 can be an inner edge of the guard 54, as shown inFIGS. 1, 24, and 26. The guard 54 can also have an extension 64extending beyond the gate portion 58, so as to overlap all or part ofthe intermediate section 18. For example, FIGS. 43-51 show a cameraframe assembly having a guard 54 that overlies across the entireintermediate section 18. In this case, the guard 54 and intermediatesection 18 together define a closed or partially closed film portal 63,having the film slot 61 at one end and a film entryway 65 at the other.The film entryway 65 is positioned and configured so as to allow easymovement of the film without undue friction. FIG. 42 shows an extension64 that partially overlies the intermediate section 18. The extensions64 are shown in FIGS. 42-51 with a guard having a particularconfiguration of stem portion 60; however, an extension 64 can also beincluded with other guards 54, such as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 24-27.

In addition to extending over the intermediate section 18, the guard 54can also partially or fully overlie the take-up chamber 14 (indicated bya dashed line in FIG. 43), unless this would interfere with filmloading. A guard 54 used with Type 135 film must allow for placement ofthe protruding film leader. If APS™ film or other thrust cartridge filmis used, then the film cartridge 24 can be easily lodged axially, andthe guard 54 can extend all or part way across the take-up chamber 14.It is highly desirable that the take-up chamber allow the exposed filmto be easily removed after use, without damage to the guard 54. Forexample, a thrust type film cartridge 24 can be loaded and unloadedaxially, from the frame assembly 10 shown in FIG. 43, since the take-upchamber 14 has an open end.

The extension 64 can include a film platen 66 (shown in FIG. 45). Theplaten 66 can be a fixed portion of the extension 64 or a separate,spring-loaded support or the like (not shown). The platen 66 can be flator curved so as to match a particular lens system. The platen 66 canextend across the full width of the intermediate section 18 or can belimited to one or more longitudinal or transverse ribs or a series ofbumps or some combination of such features. A wide variety of platensare well known to those of skill in the art. The platen 66 can protrudeinward from the remainder of the extension 64 (not shown) or theextension 64 can follow the shape of the platen 66.

In the completed camera, the guard 54 overlies the film roll chamber 16and separates the back cover 40 from the film space 52. Theconfiguration of the back cover 40 overlying the film roll chamber 16 isnot critical, except as to features of the back cover 40 that cooperatewith other parts of the camera to provide a light-lock. The requirementsof a light-tight fit between camera parts and suitable design andmanufacturing considerations are well known to those of skill in theart. In addition to separating the back cover 40 from the film space 52,a guard 54 having an extension 64 over part or all of the intermediatesection 18 also, in turn, partially or fully separates the back cover 40from the intermediate section 18.

The inclusion of the film platen 66 in the extension 64 allows the filmplane of the completed camera to be independent of the camera back cover40. This can allow the use of closer tolerances for the film platen 66than would be practical with a platen 66 formed as part of a back cover40. With the film platen 66 function removed, the back cover 40 can besimplified, without increasing a risk of film damage during use, such asfilm pinching due to flexing of the back cover.

In the camera frame assembly 10 in FIGS. 43-51, the frame assembly 10has two path subenclosures 68 and a backbone 70. The path subenclosures68 each include a platen subunit 72 and an intermediate section subunit74, and are permanently joined together. It is highly preferred, foraccuracy, that each path subenclosure 68 be monolithic; that is, asingle plastic casting. For example, the path subenclosures 68 shown inFIGS. 43-51 can be prepared by injection molding using two-part molds.

The subenclosures 68 are joined together, in alignment, to form theplaten 66 and intermediate section 18 from respective pairs of subunits72,74. As in other camera frame assemblies 10, the platen 66 andintermediate section 18 define a film path 75. Since, in preferredembodiments, each subenclosure 68 is made as a single part, thedimensions of the film path 75 in each subenclosure 68 can be controlledwith precision. The two subenclosures 68 are fitted together along alongitudinally extending suture 77, preferably, using tongue and grooveportions or other interlocking features all along the contacting edges(shown in FIGS. 47-49 for the platen unit edges). Since the contactingedges are quite long, any imperfections in the fit of the twosubenclosures 68 tend to either preclude assembly or cause grossdeformations in the shape of the resulting enclosure 76. In either case,defective subenclosures 68 can be readily discarded, ensuring thatproduction camera frame assemblies 10 have film paths 75 with precisetolerances throughout the enclosure 76. This approach also accommodatesdifferences in platen subunits; the film tends to ride on the betterplaten subunit, that is, the innermost platen subunit. Film pinching canbe avoided by selection of appropriate tolerances or pinching units canbe culled after assembly.

In the enclosure of FIGS. 43-51, the two subenclosures 68 are roughlymirror images and the suture 77 forms a longitudinal midline between thetwo subenclosures 68. The position and configuration of the suture 77can be varied. The longitudinal midline suture shown is convenient fromthe viewpoints of injection molding and assembly.

The subenclosures 68 are, preferably, permanently joined together toform the enclosure 76 by solvent welding, adhesive welding, sonicwelding or the like. Permanently joining the path subenclosures 68together prevents any risk of misalignment of the subenclosures duringuse and prevents possible damage to the separated units during camerarecycling. It is highly preferred that the subenclosures 68 areassembled empty, to avoid the risk of damage to the film duringassembly.

The backbone 70 includes an attachment portion 78, and part or all, ofone or both film chambers 14,16. The remaining parts of the film chamberor chambers 14,16 can be provided by the enclosure 76. In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 43-51, the backbone 70 includes the take-up chamber 14and a front portion 16a of the film roll chamber 16. The enclosure 76includes a back portion 16b of the film roll chamber 16. The front andback portions 16a,16b join together along tongue and groove features.

The enclosure 76 also includes the guard 54 and a baffle 80 that directslight from a lens system 81 (illustrated only as an aperture) to a filmplane (part of the film path 75 defined by an opening (not shown) in theintermediate section 18). The subenclosures 68 can divide the guard 54and baffle 80 into subunits in the same manner as the platen 66 andintermediate section 18. The baffle 80 extends through an opening 82 inthe backbone 70. The baffle 80 can alternatively be provided as part ofthe backbone 70.

The enclosure 76 and backbone 70 can each include one or more locators83 to help in alignment during assembly. The enclosure 76 and backbone70 can also each include one or more support structures 84 whichincrease stiffness, aid in attachment to other parts and the like. Othercamera parts (represented by dashed line box 85 in FIG. 43) can beattached to one or more of the units, at any time during assembly.

Various features of the camera frame assembly 10 can be varied to meetthe needs of different apparatus and methods for winding the film intothe film roll chamber 16.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1-18 a film edge driving film loader100 is illustrated, which is particularly useful with the camera frameassembly 10 of FIG. 1. In the apparatus 100, a filmstrip 21 istransported to a film winder 101, cinched on a pair of spaced apart,opposed rims 102, and then wound into a coil on the rims 102 bysynchronous rotation of both rims 102. Since the filmstrip 21 is woundonto the rims 102 after cinching, the film roll 50 has a constantinternal diameter during winding. The apparatus 100 and method areuseful with both guarded and unguarded camera frame assemblies 10. Asuitable frame assembly 10 having a guarded film roll chamber 16 isshown in FIG. 1.

Like the other film loading methods discussed below, this film loadingmethod is particularly suitable for use with a camera frame assembly 10having a guarded film roll chamber 16; but is also suitable forunguarded frame assemblies and non-camera film housings, and can even beused to wind a filmstrip fully or partially outside a housing forsubsequent loading into the housing. The latter is not preferred;however, because the subsequent loading into a film roll chamber of ahousing adds an additional risk of film damage when the film roll ismoved into the chamber. Non-camera housings include film containers andcassettes and other articles for storing photographic film.

The film source for the loading method can be a bulk roll or a shorterfilm roll or a film cartridge 24, but is generally discussed below interms of prewinding a filmstrip 21 from a cartridge 24 into the filmroll chamber 16 of the camera frame assembly 10. It will be understood,however, that a bulk or shorter film roll can be substituted for thecartridge 24.

Referring now to the camera frame assembly 10 of FIG. 1, the film rollchamber 16 has a pair of opposed end walls 46 and a sidewall 48extending between the end walls 46. Each end wall 46 preferably closesthe respective end 44 of the film roll chamber 16, but one or both endwalls 46 can be partially cut away. The end walls 46 are separated by adistance that is about the same as the width dimension of theintermediate section 18 in a direction parallel to the film space axis51.

The end walls 46 each have an inwardly facing film roll restraint 104and a recess 106 that adjoins the film roll restraint 104. Each recessdefines an accessway 56a. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each filmroll restraint 104 is a continuous, C-shaped ledge; however, one or bothfilm roll restraints 104 can be differently shaped or discontinuous. Thesidewall 48 and film roll restraints 104 together define cylindricalexternal boundaries of the film space 52. The recesses 106 are axiallyoutboard from respective film roll restraints 104. The shape of therecesses 106 is not critical, other than it is desirable to configurethe recesses 106 to barely clear the film loading equipment. Therecesses 106, in the frame assembly 10 of FIG. 1, thus each have theshape of a trough bordered by a C-shaped ledge and joined to therespective film roll restraint 104.

The guard 54a shown in FIG. 1 extends across the film roll chamber 16from the outer edge of the sidewall 48 and has a gate portion 58 in theform of a front margin facing the intermediate section 18, but the guard54 can also include an extension 64 overlying the intermediate section18. The guard 54a has a pair of opposed lateral margins 62a facingrespective end walls 46. The lateral margins 62a and respective recesses106 of the film roll chamber 16 define a pair of accessways 56a. Eachaccessway 56a is contiguous with a respective axial end of the filmspace 52. The accessways 56a each extend radially outward relative tothe film space axis 51 and each accessway 56a has an accessway opening108 that forms part of the throat 19 of the film roll chamber 16. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, unnecessary space within the accessways 56ais minimized. The recesses 106 are stepped toward the axis 51 andoutward from the film roll restraints 104 and the maximum axialdimension of each recess 106 is limited to a small fraction of the axialdimension of the film space 52, preferably about 3-4 mm. In thatembodiment, the stem portion 60 of guard 54a is rectangular in shape andextends axially across most or all of the film space 52. The film space52 is accessible only through the film slot 61, and the accessways 56a.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2 and 15-16, the film edge drivingfilm loader 100 prewinds a filmstrip 21, in a darkroom, into a film roll50 in the camera frame assembly 10. The film edge driving film loader100 includes a receiver 110, and active components 112 for cartridgeloading, film transporting, and film winding. The receiver 110 supportsthe camera frame assembly 10 or other housing in a predetermined loadingposition or series of positions relative to the active components 112.The receiver 110 has a predetermined relationship to other components112 and thus, during assembly, defines a predetermined relative locationor site for each of the features of the camera frame assemblies 10.(Sites corresponding to individual features of the frame assembly 10 andare necessarily predetermined for a particular frame assembly 10 byadjusting physical constraints such as relative positions of thereceiver 110 and other components 112 of the apparatus 10.) The receiver110 can accept the camera frame assembly 10 directly or can be adaptedto accept a pallet or nest 66 or the like. In that case, the cameraframe assembly 10 is held in a predetermined relation to the pallet 67,which in turn, is held in a predetermined loading orientation by thereceiver 110. Indexing features 114 can be provided on the pallet 67 topermit the camera frame assembly 10 and the receiver 110 to be readilyaligned. The frame assembly 10 can be provided to the receiver 110premounted on a pallet 67 or the pallet 67 and frame assembly 10 cancombined on the receiver 110.

The receiver 110 can have a variety of features for supporting automatedassembly operations. For example, the receiver 110 can include amovement system 116, for moving a camera frame assembly 10 between theapparatus 100 and one or more other assembly stations or betweenstations 118 having different components 112 of the apparatus 100. Forexample, in FIG. 13, the movement system 116 (illustrated schematically)can be a conveyor or track for moving the camera frame assembly 10 indirections perpendicular to the plane of the figure. The apparatuscomponents 112 can each include an actuation mechanism 120 such as aretraction-extension unit to allow the component 112 to extend to anactive position for use and to retract to a store or inactive positionclear of the movement system 116 between actuations. (Examples of activeand inactive positions for various components 112 are indicated in FIGS.15-16 in solid and dashed lines.) The actuation mechanism 120 can alsoinclude other parts for imparting motion to component 112, such asrotary or linear drives. As a matter of convenience, the discussionherein generally treats the receiver 110 as being static relative toother components 112 of the apparatus 10.

The apparatus 100 can include a cartridge mover 122, shown in FIG. 18,for positioning the cartridge 24 in the site of the take-up chamber 14.The cartridge mover 122 can be simply a pick and place mechanism or canprovide additional functions. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, thecartridge mover 122 has a vacuum gripper 124 which allows the cartridgemover 122 to position the cartridge 24 in the take-up chamber 14. Thevacuum gripper 124 or a holddown (not shown) can be used to retain thecartridge 24 in the take-up chamber 14 during film winding, if thecamera frame assembly 10 lacks features to prevent oscillation or othermovement. In this embodiment, the cartridge mover 122 also supports anactive light lock opener 126 and a spool rotator 128. The active lightlock opener 126 pivots to open the active light lock of a suitable filmcartridge 24, such as an Advanced Photo System™ (APS™ ) cartridge 24,prior to placement of the cartridge 24 in the take-up chamber 14. Thisallows the camera frame assembly 10 to include a detent (not shown)which retains the active light lock in the open position prior tocartridge removal for processing. The spool rotator 128 engages thespool 27 of the APS cartridge 24 and rotates the spool 27 to thrust filmfrom the cartridge 24.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 13, the apparatus 100 has a filmtransporter 130; which, in an active position, propels the filmstrip 21along a course of film travel 132 to the throat 19 of the film rollchamber 16. The film transporter 130 can use a driven roller, or belt,or other conventional film transport device to move the film along thefilm course 132. With a thrust-type film cartridge 24, a spool rotator128, like that previously discussed, can also be utilized.

The film transporter 130 can use a film bridge 134. This is preferred inembodiments in which the camera film drive 43 has a film engagementmember 41, such as a conventional sprocket, that continually extendsinto the intermediate section 18. The film bridge 134 causes the filmcourse or route to be spaced apart from the intermediate section 18 andseparates the filmstrip 21 from the engagement member 41 of the camerafilm drive 43, which thus does not need to be disabled or the likeduring roll formation. In some other embodiments, the film engagementmember 41, is an intermittent toothed sprocket or the like and can bepositioned so as to not extend into the intermediate section 18 duringfilm winding. In these embodiments the use of a film bridge 134 is notmandatory, since film winding through the intermediate section 18 willpass freely over the film engagement member 41.

The film bridge 134 can take a variety of forms. The film bridge 134 caninclude the film transporter 130, or the bridge 134 can be separate fromthe film transporter 130, or the film transporter 130 can have multipledrive elements with one or more incorporated in the film bridge 134 andone or more separate from the film bridge 134. The figures illustratesome different film transports 88 and film bridges 134.

In FIG. 13, a film bridge 134 in the form of an endless-belt mechanism136 is positioned over the intermediate section 18 of the camera frameassembly 10. The mechanism 136 includes a belt drive 138 and idlers 139which position and tension the belt 140. The endless belt 140 can bedisposed between the filmstrip 21 and the intermediate section 18 of thecamera frame assembly 10 or, as shown in FIG. 13 can overlie thefilmstrip 21. An endless belt 140 overlying the filmstrip 21 can haveholes (not shown) and include a vacuum-compressed gas unit 141 whichprovides a vacuum to pull the filmstrip 21 against the belt 140 fortransport, and directs compressed gas against the filmstrip 21, or usesgravity to release the filmstrip 21 from the belt 140. The film drive 43can include a separate capstan 142, shown in FIG. 18, adjoining the filmroll chamber 16, supplementing or replacing the belt drive 140. Thecapstan 142 adjoins the film roll chamber 16 and defines a nip 143between first and second capstan rollers (not shown) or between a singleroller and the intermediate section 18 of the camera frame 12. Capstanrollers can be centrally relieved or divided into two sub-rollers (notshown) in order to contact only the edges of the filmstrip 21.

A similar embodiment is shown in FIG. 14, but in this case the endlessbelt mechanism is replaced by a turtleback 144. It is preferred that theturtleback 144 present minimal friction to the filmstrip 21. Theturtleback 144 can provide one or more friction reducing features (notshown); such as holes and a pressurized gas connection to create an aircushion, or rotary bearings. Another example of a suitable film bridgeis a vacuum shuttle, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,630.

The film bridge 134 can be permanently positioned relative to thereceiver 110 or an actuation mechanism 120 can be provided for movingthe film bridge 134 relative to the receiver 110, between a use positionover the intermediate section site and a rest position spaced apart fromthe use position. Other components 112 can be repositioned in the samemanner between active and rest positions. (FIG. 18 shows activepositions in solid lines and rest or inactive positions in dashed linesfor a pair of components 112.)

The film transporter 130 can include one or more deflectors (not shown)positioned to direct the filmstrip 21 into the film roll chamber 16. Thedeflectors are preferably centrally relieved or otherwise configured toeliminate or minimize contact with the image area of the filmstrip 21.

In the film edge driving film loader 100, a film cartridge 24 is firstgripped and placed in the take-up chamber 14 of the camera frameassembly 10. The cartridge mover 122 can simply place a film cartridge24 in the take-up chamber 14 or can pick up a cartridge 24 from a supply(not shown), move the cartridge 24 to the take-up chamber 14, and thencontinue to grip or otherwise retain the cartridge 24 in position untilfilm winding is completed. This is convenient if the camera frameassembly 10 lacks features to prevent oscillation or other movement ofthe film cartridge 24 during film winding. An active light lock opener126 can be pivoted to open the active light lock of a suitable filmcartridge 24, such as an Advanced Photo System™ (APS™) cartridge 24,prior to placement of the cartridge 24 in the take-up chamber 14. Thisallows the camera frame assembly 10 to include a detent (not shown)which retains the active light lock in the open position during filmuse.

The filmstrip 21 is advanced by the film transporter 130 from thecartridge 24 along the film course, and the free end 30 of the filmstrip21 enters the film roll chamber 16. (For clarity, the film transporter130 is diagrammatically illustrated in some figures as a single capstanroller.) The manner in which the film transporter 130 propels thefilmstrip 21 varies with the film type and the characteristics of thecamera frame assembly 10. With a thrust type film cartridge 24, such asan APS cartridge 24, the spool rotator 128 engages the spool 27 of thecartridge 24 and rotates the spool 27 to thrust the filmstrip 21 fromthe cartridge 24. The film transporter 130 can be limited to the spoolrotator or can include another mechanism, such as a capstan, that takesover for or operates with the spool rotator 128. Depending upon the filmdrive 43 of the camera frame assembly 10, as discussed above, a filmbridge 134 can be positioned over the intermediate section 18 of theframe 12. Friction reduction can be provided. For example, air can beblown through holes in the vacuum/air belt 98 of a film bridge 134 toprovide an air cushion.

At this time, or earlier; a film winder 101 is moved, in a directiongenerally perpendicular to the film space axis 51, from an inactiveposition to an active position within the film roll chamber 16. The filmwinder 101 has a pair of opposed arms 146. A rim-unit 148 is rotatablymounted to each arm 146. Each rim-unit 148 has a drive portion 150 thatis adapted for rotation by a rim driver 152. United to and continuouswith the drive portion 150 is a rim or rim portion 102. The rim-units148 are positioned such that the rims 102 rotate about a common rim axis153.

The rim-units 148 are each mounted to the respective arms 146 such thatthe rims 102 face each other and extend inward and the drive portions150 are to the outside. The rims 102 each extend axially inward to adistance substantially equal to or less than the non-image margin of thefilmstrip 21. In APS™ and Type 135 (35 mm.) films, one or both opposednon-image margins of the film are perforated and include optical ormagnetic information regions. It is therefore currently preferred thatthe rims 102 not extend inward so far as to contact the optical andmagnetic information regions or the image area. In a particularembodiment, the rims 102 each extend radially inward from the respectivedrive portions 150 to an axial distance of about 30 thousandths of aninch.

Each rim portion 102 includes a cinching feature 154 for gripping theleading portion 28 of the filmstrip 21. The cinching feature 154 can bea conventional film attachment structure adapted to the size of the rims102, such as, miniature hooks or other fasteners matched to holes orother appropriate structures in the film.

A currently preferred cinching feature 154 is shown in FIGS. 4-8 and11-12. The rims 102 each include a complete inner ring 156 and a partialouter ring 158 circumscribing and located radially outward from theinner ring 156. It is preferred that the axial dimension of both rings156,158, on each rim 102, is the same and that the inner and outer rings158, respectively, have an outer surface having the shape of a completeor interrupted circular cylinder. The interruption 157 in the outer ring158 and corresponding uncircumscribed portion 159 of the inner ring 156,extend over an angle of from about 15 to about 45 degrees or,preferably, over an angle of about 30 degrees. The rings 156,158 areseparated by a gallery 160 which receives the leading portion 28 of thefilmstrip 21. The interruption 157 in the outer ring 158 anduncircumscribed portion 159 of the inner ring 156 define an leader entry161 to the gallery 160. The gallery 160 has a size insufficient toreceive more than two turns of filmstrip 21, or preferably more than asingle turn of filmstrip 21. The gallery 160 can be tapered inward froman entrance end 162 adjoining the leader entry 161 or can have a uniformdimension radial to the film space axis 51. The gallery 160 can be blindor effectively blind, or can be opened ended. During cinching, theleading portion 28 of the filmstrip 21 is guided into and curled aroundthe gallery 160. It is preferred that the rims 102 are stopped whilethis occurs. The leading portion 28 of the film can become cinched, thatis, caught, in various different ways. For example, the film can bewedged in a tapered gallery 160. The film can be overlapped at theuncircumscribed portion 159. In the embodiment shown in the figures,cumulative friction in the 300 degree gallery is sufficient, by itself,to provide cinching before the leading portion 28 completes a circuit ofthe gallery 160. Cinching can be provided by the provision of a gallery160 in only one of the two rims 102, but this is undesirable since theresulting film roll is likely to have a greater risk of being distorted.

The drive portion 150 of the rim-unit 148 is configured so as to jointhe rim-unit 148 to the arm 146 and to operate with the rim driver 152.Detailed features of the drive portion 150 can vary, but it is preferredthat the drive portion 150 not extend axially inward beyond the rim 102.This prevents possible contact with the filmstrip 21 during winding andprevents any possibility of the leading portion 28 of the filmstrip 21misaligning and cinching onto the drive portion 150 rather than the rim102. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-10, the drive portion 150 is agear. The inside face of the respective arm 46 includes a fixed hub 164.An end of the hub 164 extends through the drive portion 150 into ahollow 165 formed by the interior margin 166 of the rim 102. Therim-unit 148 can be held in place by a simple fastener or the like. Forexample, FIG. 4 shows a clasp 167 that is fixed to the hub 164 andoverlaps a hole extending through the drive portion 150.

Referring to FIGS. 2-10, a gear train 168 mechanically couples the driveportions 150 of both rim-units 148 to a rim driver 152 mounted to one ofthe arms 146. FIG. 11 discloses an alternative embodiment, in which thegear train 168 is replaced by a toothed belt 169. FIG. 12 disclosesstill another embodiment, in which the rim driver 152 includes a pancakemotor 170 that fits substantially within the hollow formed by the rim102. The pancake motor 170 is joined to the respective arm 146, anddrives the rim-unit 148 by an internal connection (not shown). The driveportion 150 of the rim-unit 148 has the shape of a wheel or pulley andcan bear a belt (not shown), which can drive the other rim-unit 148through belts, or a gear train 168 or the like. Alternatively, bothrim-unit 148 can include a pancake motor, with the motors synchronizedby a computerized controller (not shown) or the like. The rim-units 148can be positively driven, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 2-12, or can bedriven by a clutched or friction coupling. A positive drive is currentlypreferred.

If desired, the rim driver 152 can drive only one of the two rim-units148, while the other unit 148 freely rotates as the film winds. It ispreferred that both rim-units 148 be driven and rotate in synchrony,since this reduces the risk that one rim-unit 148 might overrun theother and cause the filmstrip 21 to be canted during winding. Tandemrotation can be provided by separately driven motors combined withrotational position sensors and synchronization controls. Tandemrotation can also be provided by mechanically coupling the two rim-unitsin fixed rotational relation. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-10, themechanical coupling 172 is provided by a pair of intermediate gears 173that are each fixed to a common shaft 174.

When the winder 101 is interposed in its active position in the filmroll chamber 16, the lower ends of the arms 146 and the drive portions150 of the rim-units 148 are interposed in respective accessways 56. Therims 102, in the active position, protrude into the axial ends of thefilm space 52 and the gallery 160 defines the inner circumference of thefilm space 52. The overall shape of the film space 52 is that of ahollow cylinder. In the embodiments shown in the figures, in the activeposition, the rim axis 153 of the winder is substantially collinear withthe film space axis 51. The arms 146 and attached rim-units 148 aremovable, within the film roll chamber 16, away from each other along therim axis 153 from the active position to an offset position. In theoffset position, the rims 102 are fully disposed within respectiveaccessways 56 and are spaced apart from the film space 52.

In the active position, the leader entry 161 faces the rear opening 29of the frame 12. The rim-units 148 are appropriately rotated before orafter the winder 101 is interposed in the film roll chamber 16. Therelative rotational position of the rims 102 can be determined by anyconventional means. For example, as in the embodiment shown in thefigures, a mechanical or optical or magnetic alignment sensor 175 can bemounted in fixed relation to the arms 146 to detect an alignment featureon one of the rim-units 148 or part of the rim driver 152.

The winder 101 can include a film guide 176 that is extended into thefilm roll chamber 16 prior to or at the time the filmstrip 21 isinitially transported to the film roll chamber 16. The guide 176 has amounted end 177 that is attached to a support (not shown) and a free end178 that is interposed in the film roll chamber 16. For convenience, thefollowing discussion will be directed primarily to the embodimentsillustrated in which the film guide 176 is pivotable about a axis 181(marked by "+" in FIG. 5) that is maintained in a fixed positionrelative to the rims 102. It will be understood, however, that the filmguide 176 can vary. For example, the support for the film guide can befixed to the arms 146 (not shown) or can be separate and can provide forrotational or translational motion of the film guide 176 or both (notshown).

The free end 178 of the film guide 176 has a pair of opposed contactareas 179 which overlap the respective rims 102 when the winder 101 isin the active position. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the freeend 178 is aligned with the uncircumscribed portions 159 of the rims 102when the winder 101 is in the active position. The film guide 176,preferably, only touches the film with the contact areas 179. Portionsof the free end 178 between the contact areas 179 can be inset orcut-away. The free end 178 is preferably convexly curved, relative tothe rims 102, to further minimize contact with the filmstrip 21 and tohelp deflect the free end 30 of the film into the gallery 160 forcinching. The filmstrip 21 can be deflected by the film guide 176 towardthe rims 102 during film winding, but this is undesirable since thelarge area of frictional contact would present a risk film scuffing ordistortion due to uneven film motion. It is desirable that the filmcourse from the intermediate section 18 into the film roll chamber 16follow a gentle, continuous curve, avoiding most of the film guide 176and proceeding directly into the gallery 160. In the camera frameassembly 10 shown in FIGS. 2-3 and 5-10, the inner edge of the sidewall48 is inset from the rear opening 29 to help provide such a gentle,continuously curved film path.

The mounted end 177 of the film guide 176 is pivotable about a pivotaxis 181 which is exterior to the film roll chamber 16 and overlies theintermediate section 18 of the frame 12. The film guide 176 is pivotablefrom an initial position, shown in FIG. 5 to a final position, shown inFIG. 8. Further rotation of the film guide 176 beyond the initialposition is limited by a stop 182 (shown diagrammatically in FIG. 8).Thus in the initial position, the film guide 176 is spaced apart fromthe rims 102 and, with the inner ring 156 of the rim, defines a filmpassage 183 through which the leading portion 28 of the filmstrip 21 isdirected into the gallery 160.

As the rims 102 are rotated during film winding and the filmstrip 21 iswound onto the rims 102, the film guide 176 pivots outward from the rims102. The film guide 176 continues to direct the filmstrip 21 toward therims 102. The film guide 176 can be moved away from the film roll 50 incoordination with film transport to maintain a spacing from the growingfilm roll 50. It is currently preferred, however, that the film guide176 rest on the growing film roll 50 and provide a biasing forceradially toward the rims 102. The biasing force can be provided by theaction of gravity on the guide 176 or by a spring (not shown) or thelike. A sensor can be included in or associated with the stop 182positioned to contact the film guide 176 at the completion of winding toprovide a signal controlling film transport or other functions.

Film transport is continued until the main portion 32 of the filmstrip21 has been wound onto the forming film roll 50. The trailing portion 34of the filmstrip 21 remains connected to the spool 27 in the filmcartridge 24 and after winding extends across the intermediate portion22 to the final film roll 50. Film transport is stopped before anexcessive strain is placed on the trailing portion 34. This may be donein a variety of ways in addition to the one already discussed. Forexample, a sensor (not shown) can detect an increased load due toreaching the trailing portion 34; or count rotation of the film spool 27or another rotating part; or track the length or area of filmstrip 21traveling to the film roll; or film can be wound for a predeterminedtime. In any case, a slip clutch (not shown) can be provided in theapparatus 100 to accommodate excessive strain.

When film transport has been completed, rotation of the rims 102 isstopped and the arms 146 and attached rim-units 148 are axiallywithdrawn, within the film roll chamber 16, away from each other alongthe rim axis 153 from the active position to the offset position. Thismovement releases the leading portion 28 of the filmstrip 21 from thegallery 160 and withdraws the rims 102 from the margins of the filmroll. As the rims 102 are withdrawn, axial movement of the film roll 50is intercepted, on either end by the film roll restraints 104. Thereleased film roll 50 is free to clockspring outward, within the limitsimposed by the film roll chamber 16, the guard 54, and any biasing bythe film guide 176. The winder 101 is next moved out of the film rollchamber 16 to an inactive position. The film guide 176 can be withdrawnwith the winder 101 or independently, before or after the winder iswithdrawn. The film roll 50 will fully clockspring to a final positionafter both winder 100 and film guide 176 have been withdrawn. The extentof clockspringing can be designed to be very small, since the film rollcan be wound to almost the limits of the film space 52. Withdrawal ofthe rims 102 from the film roll 50 can cause localized scuffing orpressure fogging of the film; however, this scuffing is outside theimage area and, preferably, outside both the image area and theinformation areas of the film. Thus any scuffing or pressure foggingcause by the rims 102 is of little or no consequence. Since this is thecase, it is unnecessary to rotate the film roll in a reverse directionto help loosen the film roll from the rims 102 prior to withdrawal ofthe rims 102. This simplifies film transport, since only forwardtransport and rotation of the rims 102 is required and reduces the riskof scuffing between layers of the film roll when wound in the reversedirection.

After film winding, the apparatus components 112 such as the filmtransporter 130, can be moved to a non-use position, relative to thecamera frame assembly 10, which is then moved along for furtherprocessing. In embodiments having a film bridge 134, the camera frameassembly 10 is first displaced relative to the film bridge 134, andslack in the filmstrip 21 is taken up by retracting that filmstrip 21portion back into the cartridge 24 or driving that filmstrip 21 portionforward with a capstan or the like.

After the film transporter 130 is moved away from the camera frameassembly 10, the rear opening 28 of the camera frame assembly 10 islight-tightly closed. Referring now to FIG. 17, in a particularembodiment, this is accomplished by placing (indicated by arrow 125) alight-tight back cover 40 over the chambers 14,16 and intermediatesection 18 and a front cover 42 over the camera frame assembly 10. Theresulting camera assembly can be a completed camera or can be completedin other assembly operations. In addition to the features alreadydiscussed, including a film cartridge and film roll, the camera can alsoinclude other conventional camera features well known to those of skillin the art.

Referring now primarily to FIGS. 19-41, another film loading apparatus200 is shown. This apparatus 200 utilizes a film loading method whichdiffers from the previous method in that a filmstrip 21 is propelledinto a curling zone 202, where the film is curled against one or morepair of opposed contact surfaces 205,206 into a film roll 50. Thecurling zone 202 is cylindrical and has a central curling axis 208 thatis parallel to the film space axis 51. During curling of the filmstrip21, each pair of contact surfaces 205,206 continuously constrain thegrowing film roll 50, while rotating about a pivot axis 210 that istransverse to both the film space axis 51 and the curling axis 208. Themembers of each pair of contact surfaces 205,206 preferably maintain aconstant separation during film loading. A variety of physicalstructures can be used to provide the required contact surfaces 205,206,but the simplest practical approach is the use of one or more rotatinghooks 212. The apparatus 200 and method are useful with both guarded andunguarded camera frame assemblies 10. A suitable frame assembly 10having a guarded film roll chamber 16 is shown in FIG. 26.

The hook or hooks 212 are interposed into the film roll chamber 16 forfilm loading. A pair of hooks 212 positioned in the film roll chamber 16so as to divide the film space 52 roughly into thirds is highlypreferred, since with a single hook 212 or a pair of closely spacedhooks 212, film roll misalignment is problematic. More than two hooks212 could be used, but hooks 212 in excess of two add much complexitywith little or no benefit. For convenience, the following descriptionwill refer to an embodiment of the apparatus 200 having a pair of hooks212 unless specifically indicated otherwise.

The hooks 212 are rotated during film loading from an initial positionto a final position, and then, following film loading, arc traversedinto withdrawal positions in accessways 56b in the camera frame assembly10 for removal.

The camera frame assembly 10 for this method has some differences fromthe camera frame assembly 10 used in the method previously described.Referring to FIGS. 23-27, the film roll chamber 16 has opposed ends 44(shown in FIG. 26) and a sidewall 48 that extends between the ends 44.As in the other camera frame assemblies described herein, the shape ofthe sidewall 48 is not critical, as long as the film roll 50 can beaccommodated without gross deformation and any film contact with thesidewall 48 during camera usage does not cause excessive scuffing. Thefilm roll chamber 16 defines a film space 52 that has the same magnitudeand is aligned with the width dimension of the intermediate section 18.The film roll chamber 16 lacks a film spool or other axial film support,thus the film space 52 is empty before loading and, after loading, onlycontains the film roll 50.

Referring now to FIGS. 19-41 generally, the sidewall 48 has a middleportion 218 aligned with the intermediate section 18 and the film space52. The sidewall 48 also has an adjunct portion 220 (most easily seen inFIG. 26) at each end that protrudes beyond the film space 52. An endwall 46 is joined to each adjunct portion 220. Each end wall 46preferably closes the respective end 44 of the film roll chamber 16, butone or both end walls 46 can be partially or fully cut away. Eachadjunct portion 220 and respective end wall 46 defines an accessway 56bcontiguous with a respective axial end of the film space 52. It ispreferred that the end walls 46 be fully closed and that access to thefilm space 52 be limited to the film slot 61 and the accessways 56b. Theend walls 46 can be configured to give the accessways 56b a complexshape; but, to minimize wasted space in the accessways 56b, it iscurrently preferred that the accessways 56b each have the samecross-sectional shape, in a direction perpendicular to the film spaceaxis 51, as the middle portion 218. The axial dimension of eachaccessway 56b is a small fraction of the axial dimension of the filmspace 52 and is preferably about 2-3 mm.

The camera frame assembly 10 loaded by this method preferably includes aguard 54. The gate portion 58 of the guard 54 is inset from both endwalls 46 and, as in the other embodiments, the gate portion faces oradjoins the intermediate section. The stem portion 60 is joined to thesidewall 48, preferably as part of a unitary plastic casting or as aresult of sonic welding, solvent welding, or adhesion. The gate portion58 can be cantilevered by the stem portion 60 or can be additionallysupported by one frame a flanges (not shown) extending to the frameassembly outside the film path. The gate portion 58 can be convenientlysupported by providing an extension 64 on the guard 54 like thosepreviously discussed.

The guard 54 has a stem portion 60 which is joined to the outer edge ofthe sidewall 48 and is configured so as to not interfere with the hookor hooks 212 of the loading apparatus 200. The width of the stem portion60, in a direction parallel to the width dimension of the intermediatesection 18, can vary up to about one-half the axial length of the filmspace 52; but it is preferred that the width of the stem portion 60 beless than about one-quarter of the axial length of the film space 52.Similarly, the stem portion 60 can be centered between the end walls 46or can be axially offset. If a pair of hooks 212 are used it ispreferred that the stem portion 60 is centered. A convenient stemportion 60, for use with two hooks 212, has an axial dimension less thanabout a third of the axial length of the film space 52, and is centeredalong the film space axis 5 1. With a single hook 212 or pair of closelyspaced hooks 212, the guard 54 can be offset to an end of the film rollchamber 16.

The stem portion 60 has a pair of lateral margins 62 that extendsideways to the gate portion 58. The lateral margins 62 and film rollchamber 16 together define at least one accessway 56b communicating withthe film space 52. The end walls 46 can be configured to give theaccessways 56b a complex shape; but, to minimize wasted space in theaccessways 56b, it is currently preferred that the accessways 56b eachhave the same cross-sectional shape, in a direction perpendicular to thefilm space axis 51, as the film space 52. The axial dimension of eachaccessway 56b is a small fraction of the axial dimension of the filmspace 52 and is preferably about 2-3 mm.

The guard 54 in FIGS. 26-27 is roughly T-shaped, with the base of the"T" forming the stem portion 60 of the guard 54. The gate portion 58 ofthe guard 54 forms the cap of the "T" and extends across the throat 19of the film roll chamber 16 parallel to the film space axis 51. Asimilar guard (not shown) for use with a single hook would be roughlyL-shaped.

Referring again to the apparatus 200 and particularly to FIGS. 28-30,each hook 212 has a bell 222 and a shank or support 224. Each bell 222has one of the two pair of opposed contact surfaces 205,206. The term"contact surfaces" used herein in relation to hooks 212, refers to partsof the bell 222 which touch the film prior to the end of film loading.At the end of film loading, the film may touch most of each hook 212. Atearlier stages, the film touches the bell 222 only in two limited andseparated areas. The term "contact surfaces" refers cumulatively tothose limited and separated areas irrespective of the stage of filmloading.

The bell 222 extends away from the support 224 in an arc and defines agap 225 which faces inward, toward the center of the camera frameassembly 10, when the hooks 212 are interposed in the film roll chamber16. During loading, the bells 222 define the outer circumference of acurling zone 202. The film is propelled through the gaps 225 into thecurling zone 202 within the bells 222. As the film is loaded, the bells222 are rotated, expanding the outer circumference of the curling zone202.

It is highly preferred, due to the spatial limitations of the film rollchamber 16, that, as shown in the figures, the bell 222 have two majordimensions defining a plane and a third dimension much smaller,preferably slightly less than 2 mm. This allows the bell 222 to fiteasily within an accessway 56b having an axial dimension of about 2-3mm. It is preferred that the bell 222 be sufficiently rigid to not flexduring film loading, since this maintains a constant separation betweenthe contact surfaces 205,206 of the hooks 212 as the film is curled andensures that the curling zone 202 grows at a predetermined rate that issolely a function of rotation of the hooks 212. It is more difficult tocontrol the size of the curling zone 202 during film loading if the bell222 flexes. It is also preferred that the bell 222 only contact thefilmstrip 21 along smooth, curved surfaces. These characteristics can beprovided by making the bell 222 of stiff, circular cross-section wire,bent into a planar hook-shape. A semi-circular bell 222 of about 270degrees of arc is preferred, but the bell 222 can have the shape of anincomplete ovoid or incomplete polygon.

Referring to FIGS. 21a-22h, the major dimensions of the bell 222 of eachhook 212 define a plane. At the start of film loading, each hook 212 isinterposed in the film roll chamber 16 such that the planes defined bythe bells 222 are transverse to the film space axis 51 and to a curlingaxis 208 defined by and centered in each bell 222 and parallel to thefilm space axis 51. As film is propelled into the film space 52, eachhook 212 is rotated about a pivot axis 226 (indicated by "+" in FIGS.22e-22h) from an initial position, in which the planes of the bells 222are oblique to the curling axis 208, through a series of intermediatepositions to a final position, in which the planes of the bells 222 areperpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the curling axis 208. (Rotationarrows are shown in FIG. 21 a and relative directions of motion areindicated by arrows in FIGS. 22e-22h.) It is highly preferred that thisrotation of the hooks 212, during the film winding process, is throughan angle of less than ninety degrees; since a greater degree of rotationwould tend to compress the film roll at some time during film winding.

As the hooks 212 rotate, the film enters the curling zone 202 and curlsabout the curling axis 208. The curling axis 208 can be moved a smalldistance during film loading by moving the hooks 212. The curling axis208 can also be made to migrate a small distance during film loading, bythe use of hooks 212 having non-circular bells 222. The rotation of thehooks 212 increases the radial separation of each contact surface fromthe curling axis 208 thus increasing the size of the curling zone 202.The hooks 212 rotate in tandem, since independent rotation would belikely to cause telescoping of the film roll. The direction ordirections of hook 212 rotation is not critical. FIGS. 22a-22dillustrate possible directions of rotation about a pair of pivot axes226 which are maximally offset from the curling axis 208. FIGS. 22e-22hillustrate possible directions of rotation about a pair of pivot axes226 which extend through the curling axis 208. In FIGS. 22a-22b and22e-22f, the hooks 212 define intersecting planes in an initial positionand one hook 212 is rotated clockwise and the other hook 212 is rotatedcounter-clockwise. In FIGS. 22c-22d and 22g-22h, the two hooks 212continuously define parallel planes and are both rotated eitherclockwise or counter-clockwise.

The pivot axes 226 extend in a direction that is transverse to thecurling axis 208. The pivot axes 226 can intersect or be offset from thecurling axis 208. A convenient hook 212 has a pivot axis 226 that isperpendicular to the curling axis 208 and extends through the hook 212support.

The hooks 212 can be rotated from the initial position to a finalposition during film loading by the film roll 50. In this case, thehooks 212 are mounted so as to rotate against a light bias from theinitial position to the final position and the impetus applied to thefilm by the film transport is sufficient to build the film roll againstthe biasing. This approach is not preferred, because the rotation of thehooks 212 is dependent upon frictional contact between the hooks 212 andthe film. This presents a risk of both spasmodic hook 212 rotation andfilm scuffing.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 19 and 33, it is highly preferred thatthe hooks 212 are rotated by a hook rotator 228 and not the film roll.The hook rotator 228 has a hook drive 230 which rotates the hooks 212 ata rate proportional to the delivery of film to the curling zone 202, anda hook couple 232 which synchronizes the rotation of the two hooks 212.Most other general features of the hook rotator 228 can be varied to asdesired or to meet individual requirements. For example, referring toFIGS. 19-20, in one embodiment, the hook drive 230 is a pair ofservomotors or the like driving the shanks 224 of respective hooks 212,synchronized by a hook couple (not shown) in the form of a computerizedcontroller or mechanical coupling.

In addition to the hook or hooks 212, it is preferred that a curlingguide 214 also be present during film loading. The curling guide 214 iscurved to match the film roll 50 and is positioned alongside the hooks212 to aid in curling the filmstrip 21. The hook or hooks 212 are partof the rotating hook film loader 200. The curling guide 214 can be partof the apparatus 200 or can be included in the guard 54 of a cameraframe assembly 10. If the curling guide 214 is included in the guard 54,then the curling guide 214 can also block clock-springing of the filmroll after loading. In the camera frame assembly of FIGS. 23-25, theguard 54 includes the curling guide 214. The guard 54 overlaps about themiddle third of the film space 52 and extends across about as far as thefilm space axis 51. The guard 54 includes an outwardly directed pocket233, which is exterior to the light lock in the completed camera andaligned with openings 234 in the covers 40,42. A strap (not shown) canbe threaded through the openings 234 and pocket 233 and secured againststiles 234a of the covers 40,42.

It is also preferred that a pair of opposed film roll restraints 204 bepresent during film loading. The film roll restraints 204 delimit theaxial boundaries of the film space 52 and prevent telescoping as thefilm is wound. The film roll restraints 204 can also be provided aseither part of the film loading apparatus 200 or be included in theguard 54 of a camera frame assembly 10. In the camera frame assembly 10of FIGS. 26-27, the guard 54 includes a curling guide 214 and film rollrestraints 204. The curling guide 214 is part of the stem portion 60.The film roll restraints 204 are attached to the ends of the gateportion 58 and extend into the film roll chamber 16 at the axial ends ofthe film space 52. In the apparatus 200, both the curling guide 214 andthe film roll restraints 204 can be joined to a common support 215 toform a guide-restraint unit 216. The support 215 can be configured asneeded to meet particular spatial limitations. The supports 215 shown insome of the figures are notched to provide clearance for the hooks 212.

The support 215 and hooks 212 can be moved during film loading, relativeto the camera frame assembly 10 or each other or both, as necessary tomake space for the growing film roll 50. In the apparatus shown in FIGS.19-20, the hooks 212 are lowered (in the direction indicated by arrow213) and both the hooks 212 and the support 215 are moved outward fromthe intermediate section 18 (in the direction indicated by arrow 215),during film loading. The support 215 shown in FIGS. 28-41 is movedupward relative to the hooks 212 and film roll chamber 16 (in thedirection indicated by arrow 219), during film loading to accommodatethe growing film roll. At the end of film loading, the film rollrestraints 204 are left in place, if part of the apparatus 200; whilethe hooks 212 are traversed, restraining axial movement of the filmroll. If the film roll restraints 204 are part of the frame assembly,this occurs automatically.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 21b-21c and 31-32, at the end of filmloading, the hooks 212 are traversed, in directions (indicated by arrowsin FIG. 21b) parallel to the curling and film space axes 208,226, beyondthe film roll 50 into the accessways 56b. A traverse unit can beprovided as a separate mechanism, such as a pair of linear actuators(not shown) connected to the hooks 212, or can be incorporated withother features of the hook rotator 228. After the traversing, the hooks212 are withdrawn from the film roll chamber 16.

Referring to FIGS. 33-41, in other embodiments of the apparatus 200, thehook drive supplies linear motion and mechanically converts the linearmotion to rotation motion for each hook with a pair of equivalentmechanisms and the hook couple unites the paired mechanisms into asingle mechanically balanced structure for synchronous operation. FIGS.33-41 illustrate the use of cam mechanisms for this purpose. Otherequivalent structures, such as a gear train or pair of gear trains, arewell known to those of skill in the art. Referring to FIGS. 33-41, thehooks 212 are wire and have pivot axes 210 perpendicular to the curlingaxis 208. The pivot axes 210 extend through the shanks 224. The upperends of the shanks 224 are fixed to the ends of respective pivot arms236. The opposite end of each pivot arm 236 has a cam follower 238 thatis movable against a primary cam surface 240. The primary cam surface240 is curved so that the pivot arm 236 turns and the attached hook 212pivots as the cam follower 238 travels along the primary cam surface240. The cam followers 238 are also each movable against a respectivesecondary cam surface 242, which overlies and is independent from theprimary cam surface 240.

The pivot arms 236 and primary and secondary cam surfaces 240,242 arearranged in pair and have the appearance of mirror images. The primarycam surfaces 240 are internal surfaces of a single plate 244 which ismaintained in a constant position relative to the frame assembly 10during film winding. The secondary cam surfaces 242 are externalsurfaces of a head 246 which is joined to a linear actuator 248. Thehead 246 is translated across the plate 244 during the winding operationin a direction that lies in a plane perpendicular to the curling axis208. The linear actuator 248 is operated by a controller (not shown) incoordination with the film transport. The cam followers 238 are biasedagainst respective secondary cam surfaces 242, by springs or the like,to prevent unintended hook rotation.

The cam features shown in FIGS. 33-41, are simple in shape and easy tomanufacture. The head 246 is shaped like a blunted arrowhead and thesecondary cam surfaces 242 are linear and are inclined inward at thesame angle toward a point between the two cam followers 238. The camfollowers 238 are cylindrical posts having an upper portion riding onthe respective secondary cam surfaces 242 and a lower portion riding onthe respective primary cam surfaces 240. The primary cam surfaces 240are arcuate openings in the plate 244. In the apparatus shown in FIGS.33-39, the hooks 212 are angled toward each other in an initial positionwith the gaps 225 of the bells 222 innermost and rotate counterclockwiseand clockwise, respectively to the final position. The primary camsurfaces 240 curve counter-clockwise and clockwise, in the same manner,to achieve the required hook rotations.

In a slightly different embodiment shown in FIGS. 40-41, the shanks 224each have a roller portion 250 which is held in a bearing slide 252 soas to be freely pivotable about the pivot axis 226. The bearing slides252 are mounted to slide supports 254 for movement in directionsparallel to the film space axis 51. The bearing slides 252 can be biasedtoward each other for biasing the cam followers 238 toward the initialposition. A traveler 256, geared to an Archimedes's screw 257, is fixedto the head 246 and provides linear motion of the head 246 across theplate 244. A shaft of the screw 257 is mechanically coupled (indicatedby dashed lines and box 258) to the film transporter 130. In FIGS.40-41, the film transporter 130 is illustrated as a shaft 259 bearing acontinuous or discontinuous roller 260 and a hand crank 261. Rotation ofthe crank 261 drives the film through a nip between the roller 260 andthe intermediate section 18 of the frame 12. (The nip is not shown inthe figures, since the shaft is shown in an offset position forclarity.) Various other film transports 130 were previously discussedand are also suitable.

In the apparatus of FIGS. 33-41, a traverse unit 262 has first andsecond traversing cam surfaces 264,266 on plate 244 and on the head 246as continuations of each primary and secondary cam surface 240,242,respectively. The first traversing cam surfaces 264 are straight and arealigned with the film space 52 and curling axes 208. The secondtraversing cam surfaces 266 are linear continuations of the respectivesecondary cam surfaces 242. When the head 246 is moved across the plate244 the cam follower 238 moves, without interruption, from the primarycam surface 240 to the first traversing cam surface 264 and from thesecondary cam surface 242 to the second traversing cam surface 266. Thismovement of the cam follower 238 translates the attached hooks 212 fromthe final position, in which the hook 212 is still substantially tangentto the curling zone 202; to a position, in spaced relation to thecurling zone 202, within the respective accessway 56. The hooks 212 arethen withdrawn from the accessways 56 by an actuation mechanism 120.

FIGS. 52-57 and 64-79 show apparatus 300 for other film loading methodswhich differ from the previous methods in that a mandrel 302 is insertedaxially into the film roll chamber 16 and is rotated to wind the film.Prior to winding, one or more guides 304 are used to curl the film aboutthe mandrel 302 for cinching. Such methods are disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,745,797 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/997,556 filed,Dec. 23, 1997. In these methods, a leading portion of the film is curledusing the guide. The leading portion is then cinched to the mandrel.After cinching, the guide is removed and the mandrel is rotated to windthe filmstrip. After winding, the mandrel is removed. These methods andapparatus are generally described herein in relation to APS film, butare not limited to that film type.

Referring to FIGS. 42-51, the guarded camera frame assembly 10 for thismethod has some differences from the camera frame assembly 10 used inthe methods previously described. The film roll chamber 16 has asidewall 48, but one or both end walls 46 can be omitted. It ispreferred that one end of the film roll chamber 16 be completely closedby an end wall 46. The other end must allow entry of the mandrel 302 andone or more guides 304. It is preferred that this end of the film rollchamber 16 have an end wall 46 with a central opening 305 large enoughto admit the mandrel 302 and one of the guides 304, a coaxial guide 306.This opening 305 or the omitted end wall 46 provides one accessway 56cto the film space 52. The film space 52 is necessarily larger indiameter than the mandrel 302. The coaxial guide 306 has an innerdiameter that is only slightly larger than the diameter of the mandrel302. The coaxial guide 306 can have a relatively small radial dimension,such that the outer diameter of the coaxial guide 306 is less than thediameter of the film space 52. In this case, the accessway 56c throughthe opening 305 in the end wall 46 can also be smaller in diameter thanthe film space 52.

The guard 54 can be continuous, but preferably has an opening over thefilm space 52, which provides a second accessway 56d. This accessway 56dallows entry of an additional guide 307 in a direction radial to thefilm space axis 51. FIGS. 52-57 and 64-79 show apparatus 300 having suchan additional guide along with a coaxial guide. The guard 54 shown inFIGS. 42-51 would be usable with this apparatus 300. The guard 54 isshown with a wide accessway 56d, to accommodate a similarly wideadditional guide 307. The accessway 56d is centered over part of thefilm space 52. The accessway 56d can vary in shape and location, and canbe replaced by multiple accessways (not shown) to meet the requirementsof a particular guide or guides. For example, the accessway of the guard54 in could be changed to extend axially over the full length of thefilm space 52 or could be replaced by a pair of openings at axial endsof the film space 52. It is preferred that the guard 54 cover at leastthe ends of the film space 52 to protect the film roll chamber 16against intrusion.

The frame assembly 10 includes a thumbwheel 308 which is mounted to anend wall 46 of the cartridge chamber 14. The thumbwheel 308 can beinstalled on the camera frame assembly 10 by a component (not shown) ofthe apparatus 300 or can be preinstalled. The thumbwheel 308 is attachedto the frame 12 and, as attached, is free to rotate relative to theframe 12. The thumbwheel 308 has a rotation member 310 which, in thecompleted camera, is turned to advance film. The thumbwheel 308 has anaxially positioned drivekey 312, which extends into the cartridgechamber space 14b. A collar or resilient flange or the like (not shown)holds the thumbwheel 308 in place on the frame 12. In the completedcamera, the thumbwheel 308 engages and is keyed reciprocally to thespool 27 of the film cartridge 24. The terms "reciprocally keyed" andthe like, used herein, refer to complementary structures on thecartridge spool 27 and the thumbwheel 308 that allow engagement of thethumbwheel 308 and spool 27 in only a single rotation orientationrelative to each other. For example, Advanced Photo System™ cartridge 24has a spool having a generally cylindrical socket with a cut-out orengagement portion 314 extending axially part way along the socket. Amatching thumbwheel 308 has a drivekey 312 having a generallycylindrical shaft with an axially extending key complementary to thekeyway of the spool. The cartridge 24 can have a cut-out 314 of uniqueshape for use in the specific camera. For use with APS film, thedrivekey 312 has the shape shown in FIG. 68 and can mate with thecut-out 314 of the cartridge spool 27 in only a single orientation.

The camera frame assembly 10 shown includes an active light lock closer318 that is actuated by a cam surface 320 of a thumbwheel 308. Activelight lock closers of this general type are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,614,976 and 5,629,750. The ALL closer 318 has a drive unit 322 that ispivotably mounted to the frame 12. The drive unit 322 has an ALLcoupling 324 on one end and a first sector 326 on the other. The ALLcoupling 324 extends into the cartridge chamber 14 to engage the activelight lock 328 of the cartridge 24. The ALL coupling 324 has a partialflange 330 that extends radially outward from the pivot axis 332 of thedrive unit 322. The first sector 326 is meshed with teeth of a secondsector 334 that is also pivotably mounted to the frame 12. The secondsector 334 includes a follower 336 that is biased toward a C-shaped camsurface 320 of the thumbwheel 308 by a biasing spring (not shown). Asensor lever 338 is pivotably mounted to the frame 12 in the cartridgechamber 14 adjoining the intermediate section 18. The sensor lever 338is biased rearward, that is, toward the filmstrip 21 in the completedcamera; and has a rearwardly extending contact pad 340 that limitsfilmstrip 21 contact to an area outside the exposure area. A tab 342 onthe sensor lever 338 is positioned so as to contact the partial flange330 and block rotation of the drive unit 322 when the presence of thefilmstrip 21 is sensed. In this film sensed position, the follower 336remains spaced apart from the cam surface 320 of the thumbwheel 308 andthe active light lock 328 remains open. In the completed camera, whenthe filmstrip 21 has been rewound into the cartridge 24, the sensorlever 338 moves rearward and the drive unit 322 rotates to a filmabsent-light lock open position, in which the follower 336 bears againstthe cam surface 320 of the thumbwheel 308. The active light lock 328 ispartially closed by this movement of the drive unit 322, which comprisesabout 10 degrees of rotation. As the thumbwheel 308 is rotated further,the follower 336 travels along the cam surface 320 and enters the gap344 of the C-shaped cam surface 320. This movement of the follower 336pivots the sectors 326,334 to a film absent-light lock closed positionand fully closes the active light lock 328.

The sensor lever 338 does not reliably block rotation of the drive unit322 until the filmstrip 21 has been prewound and the back cover 40 hasbeen installed over the camera frame assembly 10. Prior to that time,the position of the active light lock 328 is determined by the positionof the follower 336 on the cam surface 320 of the thumbwheel 308. If thefollower 336 is disposed on the outer rim of the C-shaped cam surface320, then the active light lock 328 is open. When the follower 336enters the gap 344 in the cam surface 320, the active light lock 328closes. Since the sensor lever 338 is not effective until the back cover40 is in place, the active light lock 328 closes even if the filmstrip21 is present in the active light lock 328. Filmstrip 21 damage is alikely result.

Referring to the apparatus 300 and methods of FIGS. 52-57 and 64-79,film is prewound in a camera frame assembly 10, in a darkroom, in amanner similar to the previously described methods and apparatus. In afirst station 118, a camera frame assembly 10 is placed on a receiver110, by a suitable component 112, such as a pick and place device. Atthe same or a following station 118, the film cartridge 24 is loadedinto the frame assembly 10 using a cartridge mover 122 for positioningthe cartridge 24 in the cartridge chamber 14.

The cartridge 24 is positioned in alignment with the cartridge chamberaxis 354; that is, the long dimension of the cartridge 24 and the axisof the cartridge spool 27 are lined up with the long dimension of thecartridge 24 chamber. It is desirable that the cartridge chamber followthe ordinary practice in camera manufacturing and be sized to precludeplacement of a cartridge 24 within the cartridge 24 chamber innon-alignment with the cartridge chamber axis 354. The cartridge 24 isalso positioned adjoining the thumbwheel in close axial proximity. It ishighly desirable that the axial proximity be very close, that is, at asmall fraction of the length of the cartridge 24 chamber away from thethumbwheel, since more distant positioning presents a risk of thecartridge 24 tilting away from the chamber axis when the cartridge 24 islater moved toward the thumbwheel.

The cartridge mover 122 has a vacuum gripper 124 which allows thecartridge mover 122 to position the cartridge 24 in the cartridgechamber 14 and, optionally, to continue to grip or constrain thecartridge 24 during film winding. The cartridge 24 can be released afterfilm winding is completed. This is convenient if the camera frameassembly 10 lacks features to prevent oscillation or other movement ofthe film cartridge 24 during film winding. The cartridge mover 122 cansupport other components, such as an active light lock opener 126 and aspool rotator 128. The active light lock opener 126 is pivoted to openthe active light lock of a suitable film cartridge 24, such as anAdvanced Photo System™ (APS™) cartridge 24, prior to placement of thecartridge 24 in the cartridge 24 chamber site. This allows the cameraframe assembly 10 to include a detent (not shown) which retains theactive light lock in the open position during film use.

The cartridge 24 can be positioned in the cartridge chamber 14, beforeor after installation of the thumbwheel 308. The cartridge 24 can firstbe placed in a nest 309 (shown, for example, in FIG. 52) and then beinstalled in the frame assembly 10. In moving the cartridge into thecartridge chamber 14, a cartridge mover 122 grips the cartridge 24 andpositions the cartridge 24 in the cartridge chamber 14 in close axialproximity to the drivekey 312 of the thumbwheel 308. The cartridge 24 isnot moved so far into the cartridge 24 chamber space 14 as to engage thecut-out 314 of the cartridge spool 27 and the thumbwheel drivekey 312.The reason is that in a film cartridge 24 like an APS cartridge, theopening of the cartridge door 328 unlocks the film spool 27. Thus, theengagement portion 314 and drivekey 312 may be misaligned and it isundesirable to force the parts together.

Referring now to FIGS. 53-54, in the same station or another station, aquill 349 is moved, by a linear actuator 120, in an axial direction(indicated by arrow 370) relative to the spool 27 of the film cartridge24. The quill 349 has a quill drivekey 372 that is complementary inshape to a second cut-out or engagement portion 374 (indicated by dashedlines in FIG. 9) of the cartridge spool 27. The cut-outs 314,374 atopposite ends of the cartridge spool 27 may have the same shape or maydiffer. A clamping member 319 is moved, as indicated in FIG. 9 bytwo-headed arrow 321. The thumbwheel aligner 346 is also moved, from anon-use position spaced from the film roll chamber 16 to a use positionin which the clamping member 319 bears against the thumbwheel 98, whichclamps the thumbwheel 98 and prevents rotation of the thumbwheel 98relative to the frame 12. Clamping member 319 bears against thethumbwheel 98, which clamps the thumbwheel 98.

The quill 349 is placed in close axial proximity to the spool 27 of thefilm cartridge 24 and is turned in the rewind direction. A light axialload (supplied by actuation device 106) on the quill 349, urges thequill 349 against the cartridge spool 27, and the cartridge spool 27against the drivekey 312 of the thumbwheel 308. At the same time, thequill 349 is rotated by actuation device 120 in a backward direction(indicated by arrow 325); that is, the quill 349 is rotated in adirection of rotation that, if applied to the cartridge 24, wouldwithdraw an extended filmstrip 21 back into the cartridge 24. This isthe rewind direction for the film cartridge 24, that is, the directionthe spool is rotated to rewind film back into the cartridge 24. With athrust type film cartridge 24, this direction is also opposite to thatof film thrusting. At the same time, the quill 349 is rotated byactuation device 120 in a backward direction (indicated by arrow 325);that is, the quill 349 is rotated in the rewind direction of rotationthat, if applied to the cartridge 24 would withdraw the film. During theturning, the quill 349 is driven against the spool 27 urging the quilldrivekey 372 toward the cartridge 24 and urging the cartridge 24 towardthe thumbwheel drivekey 372 until the drivekeys 312,372 mate engaginglywith respective engagement portions 314,374 of the cartridge spool 27.The thumbwheel 308 does not rotate, because rotation of the thumbwheel308 in the rewind direction is prevented by the oneway mechanism 352.

While the quill 349 is rotated in the rewind direction and the drivekeys312,372 are urged into mating engagement with respective engagementportions 314,374 of the spool 27, the jack 350 continuously retains thethumbwheel drivekey 312 in axial alignment with the quill 349. Thisretention of alignment decreases the average time needed to engage thedrivekeys 312,372 and spool 27 and reduces the risk of the thumbwheeldrivekey 312 and spool 27 jack-knifing and protruding out of alignmentwith the cartridge chamber axis 354.

The rotation of the quill 349 causes one, and then another, of thedrivekeys 312,372 and respective cut-outs 314,374 to be aligned withintwo revolutions of the quill 349. When the first cut-out 314 of thespool 27 and the thumbwheel drivekey 312 are aligned, the cartridge 24moves axially (generally in the direction indicated by arrow 370) underthe force applied by the quill 349, relative to common thumbwheel andcartridge axes 313,315, until the first cut-out 314 has moved intomating engagement with the thumbwheel drivekey 312 and the cartridge 24is seated against the thumbwheel 308 and end wall 46. Similarly, whenthe second cut-out 374 of the spool 27 and the quill drivekey 372 arealigned, the drivekey 372 moves axially into the second cut-out 374. Thedrivekey 372 of the quill 349 can be spring-loaded to moderate the forceapplied by the quill 349 and prevent possible jamming, during quill 349movement prior to mating engagement of both pair of cut-outs 314,374 anddrivekeys 312,372. After the cartridge 24 has been seated, the clampingmember is retracted from the thumbwheel. The spring loading can be axialonly or can provide both for resilience in an axial direction and in oneor more other directions to accommodate possible misalignments of thequill 349 and the cartridge and thumbwheel axes 313,315.

In a particular embodiment, the second spool cut out 374 is circular orsimilarly radially symmetrical except for a radial slot 109. In thatembodiment, the quill drivekey 372 includes a detent or key member 111that is configured to fit in the slot 109. The key member 111 is movableindependent of the body of the drivekey 372 in directions substantiallyradial to the axis of rotation of the quill 349 and is resilientlybiased outward. The key member 111 allows the quill 349 drivekey toenter the cut out 374 while radially misaligned. The quill drivekey 372can then spin within the cut out 374 until the key member 111 becomesaligned and resiliently moves into the cut out 374.

The discussion here is primarily directed to an embodiment using an APScartridge 24; however, this procedure is applicable to both thrust-typefilm cartridges, such as APS cartridges, and non-thrust type cartridges,such as type 135 cartridges. In the latter case care must be taken toavoid withdrawing all the leader into the cartridge during cartridgeseating.

A detector 329 can be mounted in operative relation to the cartridgechamber space to sense axial motion of the cartridge 24, or the like.The detector 329 can be integrated into a control system, which can stopthe operation and withdraw the quill 349 if a fault condition isdetected.

The cartridge spool 27 is optionally parked prior to advancing theleading portion of the filmstrip 21 to the film roll chamber 16. In thatcase, referring to FIGS. 33-37, the apparatus 300 includes a thumbwheelaligner 346, which is used with a quill 349. The aligner 346 and quill349 are associated with the cartridge mover 122 and are referred tocollectively herein as a cartridge positioner-thruster 348. It ispreferred that the cartridge mover 122, aligner 346, and quill 349 areall at the same station 118 of the apparatus 300, but the cartridgemover 122 can be provided at an upstream station 118 if desired. Thecartridge mover 122, aligner 346, and quill 349 are located and moverelative to the site 10 of the camera frame assembly 10 on the receiver110 in the same manner previously described for other components.

The aligner 346 includes a pair of subcomponents: a jack 350 and aone-way mechanism 352. The jack 350 has an axis 353 that is coextensivewith the cartridge chamber axis 354 when the aligner 346 is in itsactive position. The jack 350 is adapted to engage the thumbwheel 308and hold the thumbwheel 308 in alignment with the jack axis 351 andpermit rotation of the thumbwheel 308 about the jack axis 351. In thealigner 346 shown in the figures, the jack 350 has a freely rotatablecylindrical post 355 that is received by a closely-sized cylindricalpost-hole 356 in the thumbwheel 308.

The one-way mechanism 352 permits the thumbwheel 308 to rotate about thejack axis 351 in a thrust direction, indicated in FIG. 67 by arrow 357,but deters rotation of the thumbwheel 308 about the jack axis 351 in arewind direction, indicated by arrow 358. The rewind direction ofrotation is the direction of rotation that, if applied to the cartridge24, would rotate the cartridge spool 27 to withdraw an extendedfilmstrip 21 back into the cartridge 24. With a thrust type filmcartridge, this direction is also opposite to that of film thrusting.Detailed characteristics of the one-way mechanism are not critical. Avariety of one-way mechanisms are well known having a wide variety offeatures, for example, the one-way mechanism can be a ratchet and pawlmechanism that is unitary with the jack. It is currently preferred,however, that the one-way mechanism 352 be a ratcheting pawl, as shownin FIG. 67. The ratcheting pawl 360 is discrete from the jack 350, andthat the thumbwheel 308 has a toothed margin 362 adapted to act as aratchet wheel for the ratcheting pawl 360. In this embodiment, theratcheting pawl 360 and jack 350 are each joined to a rigid support 364,in fixed relation to each other. The ratcheting pawl 360 has a lever arm365 that is pivotably mounted to the support 520 and is disposed toengage the thumbwheel 308. The ratcheting pawl 360 is biased toward thethumbwheel 308. A stop 366 limits rotation of the lever arm 365 when thethumbwheel 308 is not present. Biasing is provided by a spring 367 thatengages the lever arm 365 and the stop 367. The teeth 368 of thethumbwheel 308 and an engagement portion 369 of the lever arm 365 areshaped so as to permit rotation in the thrust direction, but deterrotation in the rewind direction. This embodiment of the onewaymechanism has the advantages of simplicity and that wear can be largelylimited to the thumbwheel, which can be replaced as necessary duringcamera recycling.

After engagement of the thumbwheel 308 and spool 27, and spool 27 andquill 349; the direction of rotation of the quill 349 is reversed andthe quill 349 is driven by the quill motor 375 in a forward direction(indicated by arrow 376), rotating the cartridge spool 27 and thrustinga leading portion 28 of the filmstrip 21 from the cartridge 24. Thethumbwheel 308 rotates in the thrust direction with the cartridge spool27. This can be most conveniently accomplished at the same assemblystation 118 as was used for seating the cartridge 24. Thrusting can becontinued until the leading portion 28 of the filmstrip 21 is disposedover the intermediate section 18 or until the leading portion 28 reachesthe film roll chamber 16.

Referring now to FIG. 64-65, in a particular embodiment, the apparatus300 includes a spool repositioner 400. The spool repositioner 400 isused to prevent active light lock closing during transport betweenstations 118. The spool repositioner 400 can be disposed in a separatestation 118 or as a part of a previously described station. The spoolrepositioner 400 has a quill 349 that is moved into engagement with thefilm cartridge spool 27, in the same manner as the quill 349 previouslydescribed. The spool repositioner 400 also has a holder 434 that has agrip head 436 that is moved toward and away from the intermediatesection 18 of the camera frame assembly 10. The spool repositioner 400is used after the leading portion 28 of the filmstrip 21 has beenadvanced over the intermediate section 18 by a film transporter in themanner previously described. The holder 434 has a linear actuator 120that advances the grip head 436 to an active position. In the activeposition, the grip head 436 engages the leading portion 28 by frictionor by suction supplied by a vacuum line (not shown) and holds theleading portion 28 in a fixed position within and relative to theintermediate section 18 of the camera frame assembly 10. The spoolrepositioner 400 has a sensor 438 that is directed towards a spoolposition indicator 440 at the end of cartridge 24 or toward an indicator(not shown) provided as a part of the quill 349, such as a digital shaftencoder. (Spool position indicators are well known to those of skill inthe art and are present on Advanced Photo System™ film cartridges.) Thesensor 438 detects the position of the spool 27 and thumbwheel 308relative to the drive unit 322 and sends a signal along a signal path442 to a controller 444. The controller 444, in response, actuates thedrive of a quill 349 and rotates the spool 27 and thumbwheel 308 toprovide a required net rotation of less than 360 degrees. The degree ofrotation is that necessary to ensure that the cartridge spool 27 isparked in the safety zone, that is, that the follower 336 of the ALLcloser 318 is positioned on the cam surface 320. It is currentlypreferred to park the spool 27 at the approximate middle of the C-shapedcam surface 320. It is preferred that rotation be in the rewinddirection only, since rotation in the thrust direction presents a riskof film bunching or other distortion. The controller 444 of the quill349 drive can include a load sensor to detect when the filmstrip 21 istaut and deactivate the quill 349. After spool repositioning, the cameraframe assembly 10 can be transported, as desired, and the thrusting ofthe film can be continued until the free end 30 of the filmstrip 21 isimpelled into the film roll chamber 16. A detector 329 can be positionedto sense optically or in some other manner when the free end 30 reachesthe film roll chamber 16 and signal the controller (not shown) to stopthrusting.

Referring now to FIG. 57, in some embodiments, a film guiding member 378that incorporates a film bridge 134 is next moved, relative to the frameassembly 10, to an active position over the intermediate section 18 ofthe frame assembly and the film is transported, in the same manner as inpreviously described film loading methods. The film guiding member 378is lowered into position over the intermediate section 18 of the frameassembly 10, by a linear actuator 120, prior to or during filmthrusting, at the same station as is used for cartridge 24 seating or ata succeeding station. The film guiding member 378 has a concave bottom379 overlying the intermediate section 18. The film guiding member 378can have pockets 380 to receive film retention fingers 381 or part ofthe guard 54. A detector 329 can be conveniently housed in the filmguiding member 378.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 71-75, after the free end 30 of theleading portion 28 of the filmstrip 21 has been advanced to the filmroll chamber 16, the frame assembly 10 is moved to another station 118.In this station 118, a mandrel 302 or a spool attached to the apparatus300, is introduced into the film roll chamber 16 along with one or,preferably, a plurality of film guides 304. The guides 304 define asubstantially cylindrical preliminary roll space 383 within the filmroll chamber 16, centered on the mandrel 302. The preliminary roll space383 has a radius 384, (referred to hereafter a the "preliminary radius384") that is predetermined by the internal configuration of the filmguides 304. The leading portion 28 of the filmstrip 21 is transportedinto the preliminary roll space 383 and curled about the mandrel 302 anda curling axis (indicated by a cross 385 in FIG. 75). The curling axis385 is disposed within the film roll chamber 16 and is, at the time ofcurling, coextensive with the axis of rotation of the mandrel 302.

The guides 304 are interposed between the interior wall 386 of the filmroll chamber 16 and the mandrel 302 and both guide the leading portion28 of the filmstrip 21 around the mandrel 302 and limit deflection ofthe filmstrip 21 in directions radial to the common axis of rotation ofthe mandrel 302 and the curling axis 385. The initial turn (notseparately shown) of the filmstrip 21 is cinched to the mandrel 302, theguides 304 are retracted from the film roll chamber 16 (in currentlypreferred embodiments in a direction parallel to the curling axis 385,and the majority of the filmstrip 21 is wrapped around the initial turnto form a film roll 50.

The mandrel 302 is preferably a vacuum mandrel, that is, a hollowcylinder perforated on the longitudinal surface by air passages 387 andis connected to a vacuum pump or negative air pressure source (notshown). As the leading portion 28 of the filmstrip 21 curls about themandrel 302, the vacuum urges the filmstrip 21 into contact with themandrel 302. The mandrel 302 is rotated about the mandrel axis 388,starting either before or after the free end 30 of the filmstrip 21contacts the mandrel 302 and the leading portion 28 of the filmstrip 21is overlapped and cinched against the mandrel 302, after which the mainportion 32 of the filmstrip 21 is wound over the first turn of filmroll.

Referring now to FIGS. 71-75, one or more film guides 304 surround themandrel 302, in directions radial to the mandrel axis 388, except for anentry 390 through which the filmstrip 21 is admitted. In theseembodiments, the film guides 304 preclude the leading portion 28 of thefilmstrip 21 from deflecting in directions radial to the mandrel axis388 beyond a preliminary radius 384 defining the limits of thepreliminary roll space 383. The leading portion 28 of the filmstrip 21is thus isolated from the interior wall 386 of the film roll chamber 16as the leading portion 28 is curled about the mandrel 302 and cinched.The mandrel axis 388 and preliminary film space axis are coextensive.The mandrel 302 can be lowered into the film roll chamber 16 during filmwinding to maintain tangency between the outermost turn of the film rolland the section of the filmstrip 21 entering the film roll chamber 16.In particular embodiments, the frame 12 has film retention fingers 381or similar portions of a guard and the mandrel 302 is kept in a centralposition within the film roll chamber 16 during film winding. The latterapproach has the advantage of requiring simpler equipment for moving themandrel 302.

In a particular embodiment, shown in FIGS. 71-75, in which the mandrel302 is kept in a fixed position, the mandrel 302, preliminary roll space383, and film roll chamber 16 all have a common axis. In thisembodiment, the assemblage of guides 304 includes separable upper andlower guides 392,394, respectively. It is preferred that the lower guide394 is an arcuate partial sleeve or cinch sleeve having a C-shapedcross-section. The partial sleeve 394 has a concave inner surface thatis smooth or otherwise configured to present a low frictional load tothe filmstrip 21. The inner surface 395 of the partial sleeve 394closely adjoins the mandrel 302. In a particular embodiment theseparation is a few times the thickness of the filmstrip 21, about 1 mm.The partial sleeve 394 is coaxial or substantially coaxial with themandrel 302 and extends around more than half (more than 180 degrees) ofthe interposed mandrel 302. The lower guide 394 has a distal edge 396that is at least roughly parallel to the mandrel axis 388 and ahorizontal diameter of the mandrel 302. The lower guide 394 has a medialedge 397 that is roughly parallel to the mandrel axis 388 and animaginary horizontal line tangent to the mandrel 302. (Terms"horizontal" and "vertical" and the like, are used herein in a relativesense in which the longest dimension of the frame assembly defines a"horizontal" direction. Actual orientations may vary as desired, takinginto account the effect of gravity on loose parts.)

It is preferred that the upper guide 392 is a guide shoe that is movableindependent of the partial sleeve 394. The guide shoe 392 has an arm 398that extends down and closely adjoins or contacts the distal edge 396 ofthe partial sleeve 394. The arm 398 can be continuous or can be dividedinto two discontinuous portions as shown in FIGS. 71-75. The arm 398 hasa concave, low friction inner surface 399. The arm 398 has a lower edge401 that meets with the distal edge 396 of the partial sleeve 394 so asto present a guidepath to the filmstrip 21 that is substantially free ofdiscontinuity. The lower edge 401 and distal edge 396 can meet so as toprovide a continuous curve, interrupted only by a narrow seam.Alternatively, the lower edge 401 can extend radially inward beyond thedistal edge 396 so as to define a guidepath for the filmstrip 21 inwhich the filmstrip 21 jumps the discontinuity between the edges401,396. The latter approach has the advantage that slight misalignmenterrors do not present a risk of gouging the filmstrip 21.

The guide shoe 392 has a bearing member 446 medial (toward the left inFIG. 75) to the guide shoe arm 398. The bearing member 446 is positionedso as to be separated from the mandrel 302 by a nip 447 when the upperand lower guides 392,394 are in operating position within the film rollchamber 16 and the filmstrip 21 is in place between the mandrel 302 andthe bearing member 446. The bearing member 446 can be compressible orresiliently mounted such that the nip 447 is at least partially afunction of bearing member deflection during use or the bearing membercan be a rigidly mounted, incompressible part. The bearing member 446can be an immobile skid or bushing which the filmstrip 21 slides past.The bearing member 446 can also be a rotary member such as a drivenroller or belt or the like, which rotates at the same or a differentspeed than the mandrel 302. There are disadvantages in driving thebearing member, however, since relative differences in the speed of thefilm and the bearing member present a risk of scuffing or other wear onthe filmstrip 21. It is thus preferred that the bearing member be anunpowered rotary member, such as an idler roller 446 that freely rotateswith the passage of the filmstrip 21 and presents a low frictional loadto the filmstrip 21. For the same reason, it is preferred that the idlerroller 446 rotate about an axis parallel to the axis of the mandrel 302.

The width of the bearing member 446 in a direction parallel to themandrel axis 388 is not critical, however, a relatively narrow bearingmember presents less spatial constraints for other components of theapparatus, ancillary equipment and the like. A convenient width for thebearing member 446 is less than about one-half the width of thefilmstrip 21. In the embodiment of FIGS. 71-75, the bearing member oridler roller 446 has a width that is about one-quarter of the width ofthe filmstrip 21.

The idler roller 446 can have a flange (not shown) that extends outwardfrom the rest of the roller radial to the roller axis. The flange canhelp maintain alignment of the leading portion 28 of the filmstrip 21and the mandrel 302 by limiting both lateral movement and torqueing ofthe filmstrip 21 about its longitudinal axis. The flange may besuperfluous if the front end of the film roll chamber 16 is closed.

The guide shoe 392 includes a support portion 448 that provides physicalsupport for the arm 398 and bearing member 446. For example, the supportportion in FIGS. 71-75, carries the axle of the bearing member 446. Thesupport portion 448 is preferably configured so as to avoid anypossibility of unintended contact with the filmstrip 21. As shown inFIG. 75, in particular embodiments the support portion 448 can be joinedto another component, such as a film bridge or film guiding member, as asingle unit.

The assemblage of guides can include a film stripper 450. The stripper450 has a shoulder 452 (best seen in FIG. 18) that defines a lateralboundary for the film roll. The stripper 450 can have a dimension indirections radial to a stripper axis, that is smaller, the same as, orlarger than the dimensions of the film roll chamber 16 in the samedirections. In a particular embodiment, the stripper 450 is a completesleeve that is coaxial with the mandrel 302 and is separated from themandrel 302 by less than the thickness of the filmstrip 21 and,preferably, about one-half the thickness of the filmstrip 21. In thisembodiment, the dimensions of the stripper 450 in directions radial tothe stripper axis (which is coextensive with the mandrel axis 388), areless than the dimensions of the preliminary roll space 383 in the samedirections and the partial sleeve 392 is coaxial with the stripper 450.This permits the mandrel 302, partial sleeve 392, and the stripper 450to move along a common axis, independent of each other and withoutinterference; and, at the same time, keeps overall apparatus and filmroll chamber 16 dimensions small.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 71-75, the guide assemblage is utilizedin the following manner. The leading portion 28 of the filmstrip 21 isadvanced into the film roll chamber 16 until the free end 30 is detectedby a sensor (not illustrated in these figures) which can be mounted inthe guide shoe 392. The stripper 450 is then moved by a linear actuator120 toward the film roll chamber 16 until the shoulder 452 of thestripper 450 contacts the edge of the filmstrip 21. The stripper 450 isthen stopped. The partial sleeve 394 is then moved along the stripper450 and into the film roll chamber 16. The medial edge 397 of thepartial sleeve 394 is preferably chamfered from a forward end 453 towardthe base of the sleeve. As the partial sleeve 394 is extended into thefilm roll chamber 16, the free end 30 of the filmstrip 21 is lifted by adistance sufficient to avert the free end 30 clear the mandrel 302, whenthe mandrel 302 is extended into the chamber. The mandrel 302 is thenextended into the film roll chamber 16. The rotation of the mandrel 302is initiated and the vacuum source is switched on, when the mandrel 302has entered the film roll chamber 16 or before. The guide shoe 392 isthen lowered relative to the film roll chamber site until the guide shoe392 contacts the partial sleeve 394 and the predetermined nip 447 isdefined between the idler roller 446 and the mandrel 302. As thisoccurs, the free end 30 of the filmstrip 21 is directed into the nip447. (The free end 30 of the filmstrip 21 is illustrated as beingpartially cut back to form an angled tip. This is a typical filmfeature, but is not a mandatory requirement for the method andapparatus.) The mandrel 302 continues to rotate. The idler roller 446pinches the leading portion 28 of the filmstrip 21 against the mandrel302 and the vacuum pulls the filmstrip 21 radially toward the mandrelaxis 388. After about one and one-half revolutions, the leading portion28 of the filmstrip 21 is cinched onto the mandrel 302. A vacuum sensor(not shown) positioned in the vacuum line detects the drop in air flowor decrease in air pressure resulting from the cinching. The vacuumsensor signals a control, which in response withdraws the guide shoe 392and partial sleeve 394. The main portion 32 of the filmstrip 21 is thenpulled into the chamber 16 by the mandrel 302 and wound over the leadingportion 28 producing the film roll 50. Referring now to FIG. 75, thefilm roll 50 has an outermost turn 455 (indicated in FIG. 75 by a dashedline) that defines a first film roll radius 384 that is larger than thepreliminary radius 384.

Winding of the film roll continues until the main portion 32 of thefilmstrip 21 has reached the film roll 50. This is ordinarily the majorportion of the filmstrip 21. The trailing portion 34 of the filmstrip 21necessarily remains attached to the spool 27 of the film cartridge 24and extends to the film roll 50. The rotation of the mandrel 302 isstopped before an excessive strain is placed on the trailing portion 34.This may be done in a variety of ways. For example, a sensor can detectan increased load on the mandrel 302 due to reaching the trailingportion 34; or a detector can count rotation of the film spool oranother rotating part; or a detector can track the length or area offilmstrip 21 traveling to the film roll; or film can be wound for apredetermined time. With any of these approaches a slip clutch can beprovided in the mandrel 302 to accommodate excessive strain.

After winding is completed, the mandrel 302 is removed from the filmroll chamber 16. The vacuum is first turned off and compressed air ofother gas may be blown back through the mandrel 302 to encourage releaseof the film roll. At this time, the mandrel 302 can be rotated backwardsa revolution or so to further encourage the film roll to release. Thecombination of these effects allows the film roll to loosen and expandsuch that the outermost turn 455 defines a second film roll radiuslarger than the first film roll radius 384. In a preferred embodiment,the film roll does not expand substantially beyond the throat 19 of thefilm roll chamber 16. This can be accomplished in different ways. Forexample, the film roll chamber 16 can include a vacuum port (not shown)through which a vacuum can be applied to the film roll in the mannerdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,482, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference. The frame 12 can alternatively have wedges 200 atthe medial margin of the throat 19, that narrow the throat 19 to a widthless than the width of the widest portion of the film roll chamber 16and thus limit clock-springing of the film roll.

The mandrel 302 is next removed from the film roll chamber 16 byretracting the mandrel 302 into the stripper 450, while leaving thestripper 450 in place against the edge of the filmstrip 21. Because theradial gap between the mandrel 302 and stripper 450 is less than thethickness of the filmstrip 21, telescoping is at least substantiallyprevented.

In a currently non-preferred embodiment, the mandrel 302 is detachablefrom the apparatus in the manner of a spool. Although the spool can berelatively simple this still adds an additional part to the camera andthe complexity of a release mechanism for detaching the spool.

In an embodiment in which a film bridge 134 is used, the film bridge 134is displaced relative to the camera frame assembly 10, prior to removalof the mandrel 302; so slack in the filmstrip 21 can be taken up byrolling a final portion of the filmstrip 21 onto the film roll orretracting that part of the filmstrip 21 back into the cartridge 24.

The rear opening 28 of the camera frame assembly 10 is next closed andthe camera frame assembly 10 is rendered light-tight. This can be asingle step in which a light-tight back cover 40 is attached to theframe 12 or can involve multiple steps. For example, a back can beattached over the rear opening followed by the plugging of a bottomopening to render the assembly light-tight. The resulting cameraassembly can be a completed camera or can be a camera subunit requiringadditional assembly operations for completion. In addition to thefeatures already discussed, including a film cartridge 24 and film roll,the camera assembly can also include other conventional camera featureswell known to those of skill in the art.

The film roll 50 can telescope outward during mandrel 302 removal orafter mandrel 302 removal if the camera frame assembly 10 is vibrated. Adistended portion of the film roll 50 presents a grave risk of pinchingor other damage when the camera is rendered light-tight. It is thushighly desirable, at least once before installing the back cover 40 orotherwise closing the camera, to lodge the film roll 50 fully within thefilm roll chamber 16 axially (in a direction parallel to the film spaceaxis 51). The stripper 450 can provide axial lodging during removal ofthe mandrel 302, as previously discussed. The stripper 450 can also bereplaced or supplemented by one or more tampers 456. Each tamper 456 isincluded in the apparatus 300 in a separate station 118, as shown inFIG. 76, or as a part of the previously described station 118 at whichthe film roll 50 was formed, or a succeeding station 118. Like thestripper 450, the tamper or tampers 456 secure the film roll 50 withinthe film roll chamber 16 during or after removal of the mandrel 302.Each tamper 456 includes a linear actuator 120, such as an air cylinder,which tamps a tamp head 458 against the end of the film roll 50 to driveany outwardly telescoped portion of the film roll back into theremainder of the film roll and axially lodge the entire film roll 50 inthe film roll chamber 16. The tamp head 458, in the tamper 456 shown inFIG. 21, is fixed to its linear actuator 120.

Referring to FIGS. 77-79, the axial lodging can also be accomplished byproviding a prepositioned partial wall 460 or a post-loading wall 462 onthe bottom of the chamber 16. The partial wall 460 is provided as a partof the camera frame assembly 10 and can replace the stripper 450. Thisis less desirable than the use of the stripper 450, because the partialwall 460 is subject to frame assembly tolerances and presents a greaterrisk of inaccurate positioning and incomplete axial lodging of the filmroll 50 in the film roll chamber 16. The postloading wall 462 isinstalled on the camera frame assembly 10 after mandrel 302 removal. Thepost-loading wall 462 can be partial, but is preferably full; that is,the post-loading wall 462, after installation, preferably occludes theentire end opening of the film roll chamber 16. The post-loading wall462 can be installed in a direction radial to the film space axis 51, asshown in FIG. 78, in which case, a stripper 450 or tamper 456 is neededto initially secure the film roll 50 in the film roll chamber 16. Thepost-loading wall 462 can also be installed in a direction parallel tothe film space axis 51, as shown in FIG. 24. In this case, thepost-loading wall 462 and wall installation tool 463 together comprise atamper 456 and the use of the stripper 450 is optional.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference tocertain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for loading a filmstrip, said methodcomprising the steps of:propelling the filmstrip into a cylindrical filmspace; curling the filmstrip into a film roll within said film space,said film roll defining a roll axis; during said curling, constrainingsaid roll between a pair of opposed contact surfaces; during saidconstraining, rotating said contact surfaces about a pivot axistransverse to said roll axis.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein saidpivot axis is perpendicular to said roll axis.
 3. The method of claim 1further comprising, during said rotating, maintaining a constantseparation between said contact surfaces.
 4. The method of claim 1wherein said contact surfaces are rotated through an angle of less than90 degrees.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising limitingclock-springing of said roll.
 6. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising following said curling, traversing said contact surfacesbeyond said film roll.
 7. The method of claim 6 further comprisingrestraining axial movement of said film roll during said traversing. 8.The method of claim 6 further comprising limiting clockspringing of saidfilm roll following said traversing.
 9. A method for loading afilmstrip, said method comprising the steps of:propelling the filmstripinto a cylindrical film space; curling the filmstrip into a film rollwithin said film space, said film roll defining a roll axis; during saidcurling, constraining said roll between a first pair of opposed contactsurfaces and between a second pair of opposed contact surfaces; duringsaid constraining, rotating said first pair of contact surfaces about afirst pivot axis and rotating said second pair of contact surfaces abouta second pivot axis, said pivot axes being spaced apart, said pivot axeseach being perpendicular to said roll axis.
 10. The method of claim 9wherein said rotating further comprises rotating said pairs of saidcontact surfaces in synchrony.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein saidrotating further comprises rotating one said pair of said contactsurfaces in a clockwise direction and rotating the other said pair ofsaid contact surfaces in a counterclockwise direction.
 12. A method forloading a filmstrip comprising the steps of:interposing a pair of hooksin a chamber, said hooks together defining a curling zone; propellingthe filmstrip to said curling zone; during said propelling, curling thefilmstrip against said hooks into a roll, said roll defining a rollaxis; during said curling, rotating each said hook relative to said rollabout a pivot axis to expand said curling zone, said pivot axes eachbeing transverse to said roll axis.
 13. The method of claim 12 whereinsaid rotating further comprises rotating said hooks in synchrony. 14.The method of claim 12 further comprising, following said curling,traversing said hooks axially outward from said roll.
 15. The method ofclaim 14 further comprising withdrawing said hooks from said chamberfollowing said traversing.
 16. The method of claim 14 further comprisingrestraining axial movement of said roll during said traversing.
 17. Themethod of claim 14 further comprising limiting clock-springing of saidroll following said traversing.
 18. An apparatus for loading a filmstripinto a film roll chamber, said apparatus comprising:at least one rigidhook interposable in said film roll chamber, said hook having a bell anda support, said bell defining a cylindrical curling zone, said hookbeing rotatable to enlarge said curling zone; and a film transportdisposed to deliver said filmstrip to said curling zone.
 19. Anapparatus for loading a filmstrip into a film roll chamber, saidapparatus comprising:a pair of hooks interposable in said film rollchamber, said hooks each having a support and a bell extending from saidsupport, said bells defining a cylindrical curling zone, said supportsbeing rotatable in synchrony to rotate said bells and enlarge saidcurling zone; and a film transport disposed to deliver said filmstrip tosaid curling zone.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said bells eachdefine a plane and each said hook is rotatable about a pivot axisextending along a respective said plane .
 21. The apparatus of claim 19further comprising a hook rotator pivoting said hooks proportional tosaid delivering of said filmstrip.
 22. The apparatus of claim 19 whereinsaid hooks are rigid.
 23. An apparatus for loading a filmstrip into ahousing having a film roll chamber, said film roll chamber defining afilm space, said film space having an axis, said apparatus comprising:atleast two hooks, said hooks each having a support and a bell extendingfrom said support; said hooks being disposable in said housing with saidsupports extending outward from said housing, said bells defining acurling zone aligned with said axis, and said hooks each being pivotablewithin said chamber, relative to said axis; and a film transportdisposed to deliver said filmstrip to said curling zone.
 24. Theapparatus of claim 23 further comprising a hook couple synchronizingsaid pivoting of said hooks.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein saidhook couple pivots said hooks proportional to said delivering of saidfilmstrip.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25 further comprising a traverseunit connected to said supports, said traverse unit moving each saidshank axially outward from said film space.
 27. An apparatus, forloading a filmstrip into a housing, said housing having a film rollchamber, said film chamber having a chamber axis, said apparatuscomprising:a pair of hooks, each of said hooks having a bell and ashank, said bells defining a substantially cylindrical curling zone,said hooks being disposable relative to said chamber such that saidbells are disposed in said chamber and said shanks extend outward fromsaid chamber, said shanks defining a pair of shank axes disposedtransverse to said chamber axis, said hooks being rotatable about saidshank axes; a film transport disposable adjacent said film roll chamber;said film transport delivering said filmstrip to said curling zone; anda hook rotator pivoting said hooks during said delivery of saidfilmstrip.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said film transportincludes a curling guide disposable over said roll chamber, said curlingguide directing said filmstrip toward said curling zone.
 29. Theapparatus of claim 27 wherein said hooks are movable within said rollchamber in directions parallel to said chamber axis.
 30. The apparatusof claim 29 wherein said hooks are movable in a direction parallel tosaid shank axes to a position exterior to said roll chamber.
 31. Theapparatus of claim 27 wherein said hooks are rotatable about said shankaxes to a first position wherein said hooks define a pair ofintersecting planes.
 32. The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising apair of film roll restraints disposable adjoining opposite ends of saidcurling zone.
 33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said hooks aremovable to a position exterior to said film roll restraints.
 34. Theapparatus of claim 33 wherein said film transport includes an curlingguide disposable over said roll chamber, said curling guide directingsaid filmstrip toward said curling zone, and said film roll restraintsare connected to said curling guide.
 35. A method for loading afilmstrip comprising the steps of:interposing a pair of rigid hooks in achamber, said hooks together defining a curling zone; propelling thefilmstrip to said curling zone; during said propelling, curling thefilmstrip against said hooks into a roll; during said curling, rotatingsaid hooks relative to said roll to expand said curling zone.
 36. Themethod of claim 35 wherein said rotating further comprises rotating saidhooks in synchrony.
 37. A method for loading a filmstrip comprising thesteps of:interposing a pair of hooks in a chamber, said hooks togetherdefining a curling zone; propelling the filmstrip to said curling zone;during said propelling, curling the filmstrip against said hooks into aroll; during said curling, rotating said hooks relative to said roll toexpand said curling zone; following said curling, traversing said hooksaxially outward from said roll.
 38. The method of claim 37 furthercomprising withdrawing said hooks from said chamber following saidtraversing.
 39. The method of claim 37 further comprising restrainingaxial movement of said roll during said traversing.
 40. The method ofclaim 37 further comprising limiting clock-springing of said rollfollowing said traversing.